i'll take it old man winter...i'll take it.

I became truly ecstatic this morning at the prospect of spring on its way. I could feel the sun beating down on my back as I walked down Bergen Street playing the temperature guessing game. How warm is it? 45? 48? 42?
I have always considered myself a true "fan" of the winter season. I was born in the heart of the winter, I LOVE the snow, I love Christmas, I love hats & scarves and I thoroughly enjoy snowboarding (regardless of my lacking skills).

But, this winter in NY was pivotal.

I may never again look at winter in the same lustrous light.

Perhaps it was the typical 2 1/2 hour (one way) commute into the city, that, with snow, became a 3 1/2 hour commute. Or maybe it was the fact that on weekends, I wanted to do something aside from looking out the window and saying, "Wow, it snowed again. I wonder how the roads are." Or possibly it was my recently becoming one of those "always cold" people. At times throughout this past winter, I truly questioned whether or not I just might freeze at any given moment. I even deeply considered whether it was in fact humanly possible to transform into an icicle.

And all that, really…just not that fun.

The first snow will forever be as amazing to me as it has always been.

And don't get me wrong, the occasional blizzard can still be a splendid time.

But, what I've come to realize is this. Winter is a magnificent, incredible season…. for all those who can sit back and relax with a cup of coffee and watch the storm roll in, watch the snow accumulate, for those children whose eyes can still light up with the sight of the glistening white snow and the hopes of a snow day….
…but, unfortunately, for all of those people who have to continue with their daily routines, it just plain sucks.
So, truly, perhaps I'm just bitter. Bitter that snow days no longer exist. Bitter that my cubicle has no windows. Bitter cold, really.

And that brings me back to the fact that I was, and am, truly ecstatic at the prospect of spring…the smells of spring in the air, the trees blossoming, the flowers blooming and the people of NY coming out from under their fuzzy scarves.

'Tis truly a spectacular time of the year.

Having said all of this-- the ecstatic moods, the blossoming & blooming, the smiles coming out from hiding, the spectacular time of the year-- you really have to wonder whether or not the winter was created to make us appreciate the spring.

Well, if so, mission accomplished.

Everyone and everything just seems to come to life…and everyone is talking about it. It's like the hottest new club on the LES just opened up. There is not a single day this week that I haven't heard someone in the elevator jabbing excitedly about it.

So, guess what folks, I've decided I'll take it.

I'll take the (often times) dreadful winter days in exchange for my glorious turning of spring. In exchange for my smiles abound and outdoor plans abundant. In exchange for my flowers blooming. And my trees blossoming…

...ahhhh the oh-so-anticipated, the lively and the joyous days of the spring…there really is no time quite like springtime now, is there…


(PS- I lost the temperature guessing game. It was, in fact, only 33 degrees this morning. Yes, 33, as in 1 degree higher than freezing. Really. And I was and still am giddy about it…see what i mean...)