Now that I'm walking to the gym almost everyday, my new routine permits me to observe some of the charms of a small town life. Each day I get all bundled up, grab my workout bag, don my coziest scarf, and set out on my journey. My walk takes me down a lovely street lined with matured and often snow-laden maples. As I'm strolling, I pull my never-long-enough coat sleeves as far down over my gloves as they can possibly stretch because that little gap over my wrist lets in an unbelievable amount of cold air. The walk continues. My tennis shoes crunch show that didn't get shoveled away and I smell a wood-burning stove a couple of houses down. I look down main street, taking in all the old-fashioned hanging Christmas decorations and watching people bustling in and out of the little shops. Despite the liveliness of the season, the town remains quiet and calm. It's clean and wholesome. It's all rather Bedford Falls-ish.
Walking in the freezing cold makes me so thankful that I don't have to worry about how I will ever get warm again. I have a heated house to come home to. It makes me notice what a privileged life I live. All of my needs are met. The bills are paid. We have food, clothing, water, health. Not only are all of my needs met, but all of my wants as well. A husband to love, a house to keep clean, a kitchen to cook in, notebooks to list in, good books to read, a new place to workout, family to see, gifts to wrap, music to enjoy. I am one happy girl.
And this truly is a wonderful life.
{photo from my front window, which holds a fresh, frosty carving each morning}
