Daylight!!!

One aspect of winter that I have adjusted to is the darkness. I leave for work in the morning, and sit in the parking lot waiting for the carpool connection in the dark. Day comes so subtly that one moment it is night, and suddenly you realize its daylight.

Going home after work - even when I leave at 5 like I'm supposed to - means walking to your car under the streetlights in the new parking lot. I've never been a big fan of driving at night though in winter one can hardly avoid it. It jsut seems like everytime I have to go outside, its dark.

So tonight, I packed up my ergonomic backpack (which I absolutely love), struggled into my black boots, laced them up, hoisted myself into my gray wool coat, wound my purple wool scarf around my face, pulled on my black lined gloves, settled my gray wool hat down over what's left of my hair, slung my purse over my shoulder, and headed out the door to my car. I trudged past the circulation desk, waving to the students on duty who giggled at my snowprotection garb, pushed the interior door open, and was blinded by the sun!

What is this? Am I leaving too early? I check my cell phone (watches are so passe). 5:32. No, its more than time to head for home. But the sun is still shining brightly despite the frigid cold. How is that possible? How wonderful! What a relief!

I stand just inside the foyer, basking in the warmth of the overhead heater and the sun streaming in through the glass doors. Students come and go, blasting me with coldness that I know I will have to face. But for a moment, just a brief moment, I can see summer coming, summer with its pleasant evening hours of daylight and its warm breezy days. I can almost imagine a sandy beach and a tall ice tea!