My formal apology to Mr. Winter

For a fashionista living in south Florida, a cold winter day in the sunshine state is more than just a weather anomaly. These precious moments of our faux winter are far more than freak effects possibly caused by global warming! They are wonderful gifts from God to be taken advantaged of to the fullest. Why? Because, just a few days of bristly northeastern weather will justify a season of purchases.

I have had – though with wisdom and restraint – such a gloriously justifiable season. Luxurious coats, beautiful scarves, sleek high-heeled knee length boots in leather and suede – Oh My! Yes, indeed I have reveled in the opportunities to be defiantly New York(ish) in the good ole’ south; gallivanting about in the latest chic winter accessories.

However, I must now confess that revelry has not come without a few lessons.

I had forgotten how much more effort it takes to look fashionable while freezing your bum off! On one particular morning, I decided to be wonderfully sexy in all black, tall boots, and a long knitted sweater. But, when I stepped outside, Old Man Winter knocked me squarely in the chest and asked, “Where the hell d’you think you’re going?” I literally ran back in the house yelling, “Where’s my super-suit?” – A knee length coat in an undeniably gorgeous color with pleats and curves in all the right places. Of course, Mr. Winter and I made our peace once I took a glance in the mirror and saw how fabulous I looked in my coat, but his admonishments have not stopped there. There was the morning that my high-tech phone couldn’t sense my fingers through my gloves. And then the moment I realized a growing resentment for the parts in my funky-patterned stockings that were less cold resistant. Let’s not forget that I’ve had to sleep in my bathrobe because I don’t own flannel PJs. But what took the cake was the fact that I had to turn on my heater last night! Uh-uh! Hold on, Grandpa. Step away from the fuzzy slippers. This is definitely not what I signed up for. I now live in FLORIDA. Where 50 degree weather sends me running to the beach with a blanket and hot chocolate because I can actually enjoy it without burning my skin! What’s with this heater business?

Ok, so I am confessing today that I have been humbled. I realize that for the past three years, I’ve been treating winter with as much thought as last season’s scarf. In fact, I would say that most of us fashionistas living in this southern paradise, haven’t shown the old man much respect at all. And on behalf of us all, I would like to formally apologize. Now please, send back your faux cousin, “cool weather”, so that I can wear my boots and my mini skirt too.

Not Forgetting Rainbows

When I first moved down to Florida, I had a pivotal encounter with a rainbow. Where was I?

I was driving back from yet another unsuccessful job interview…

I was concerned about my savings diminishing and my debt climbing…

I was wounded from arguing with my mother daily about my “coming back home”…

I was lonely since I had not made any friends and missed my siblings terribly…

I was hurt by God’s silence after having been so obedient to His call…

And on that Floridian hot-as-Hades mid-summer day, I was driving with the windows down so I wouldn’t have to run the A/C. Then, a torrential downpour came through. My immediate thought: “Oh come on, God! You have got to be kidding me!” Seriously, this had all the makings for a sappy scene in one of those predictable movies. The Truman Show, anyone? I maneuvered my SUV (windows up, A/C intermittently running) begrudgingly down Okeechobee; questioning God, questioning my purpose in Florida, questioning my obedience. But as I made my left to head south on 441, I encountered the largest, brightest, most beautiful rainbow I had ever seen.

I was suddenly reminded of God’s covenant with me as His daughter…

I was moved to tears…

Since then, I have seen many rainbows in my three years of Florida living. Some even brighter and fuller than my first. They always remind of that encounter; and they always remind me of God’s covenant. This morning was no different. However, as I quickly made note of the rainbow outside the car window, I came to the realization that my reaction was not the same. I was once again reminded, but I was not moved. This sad reality sent me into a feverish prayer. “Please, God,” I begged, “don’t let my heart become so familiar to your wonders that it grows calloused and unfazed!”

As I drove the fifteen or so minutes home… I encountered two more rainbows.