The Sun Returns

I am sitting here in our school room, watching the sun glistening on the smooth, white coating in our backyard. It's an illusion, really. It looks so peaceful and pleasant... but it's not. The white is actually 1/4 inch of ice, covered with 3 inches of sleet, now hardened solid, and a shimmer of snow coating to smooth it out. It is slippery!

BigBro and I spent a hour getting the cars cleared off, slipping and sliding our way around each vehicle, chipping away a bit here and there, until we couldn't stand the cold a second longer and hurried inside. In the end, the cars are driveable, though the roads still aren't. That's ok. We can handle one more day. The kids and I are camped out in the school room (praise God for the space heater), DH is set up at the dining table, and we've been fairly successful getting school and work done for the past few days. It's been fun, focusing on just the five of us, and not all of the pulls of the outside world, for a few days anyway.

So, we survived the "major storm" of 2011. The sun has returned, even while it's not actually bringing any warmth. This morning, that silly groundhog did not see his shadow, so we are supposed to have an early spring. I doubt that. But, spring will arrive... sooner or later... of that I am certain.

I'm feeling the same way internally, too. I survived the "major storm" of step 4. It's been a rough few weeks, cooped up with my own demons and emotions. But, today, the sun is shining again. I've still got a lot of work to do. I can't let myself get fooled by the serene outer image... it is still slippery and treacherous. But, for now, I am basking in the sun, enjoying the serenity of the moment, the tiny glimpse of the long-term serenity I am seeking.