Winter Walk

I went to the woods today.
I walked the dog along the snowy paths.
I saw evidence of life everywhere amongst the dead of winter.
The flame of the red berries still clinging to the bush
The tracks of rabbits, deer, other dogs and people.
The nests of leaves high in the trees with the heartbeat of a squirrel at their core.
Geese headed in no particular direction.

I walked along the ice-choked creek.
I saw the contours of the land like I had not seen them in a while.
Summer hides them under the grasses and other plants.
Winter bares all.
But in the barrenness, there is promise.
There are seeds everywhere, waiting for the wind to carry them on to their next destination
Waiting to burst forth with the warmth of the spring and summer.

The same holds true for me.
There is promise and evidence of life ready to burst forth.
I look forward to the growth and the challenge of commingling my life with someone new.
And I relish the ability to feel and experience it all.