"Gratitude exclaims, very properly, ‘How good of God to give me this.’ Adoration says, ‘What must be the quality of that Being whose far-off and momentary coruscations are like this!’

One’s mind runs back up the sunbeam to the sun. If I could always be what I aim at being, no pleasure would be too ordinary or too usual for such reception; 

from the first taste of the air when I look out of the window—one’s whole cheek becomes a sort of palate—down to one’s soft slippers at bed-time." 

// C.S. LEWIS 

"Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer"

Here in Chicago, we fight the winter with talk of sunny vacation spots, looking ahead to April and counting down to the escape from this convincing tundra that effortlessly whispers lies that the sun did indeed forget to shine ever again in this region of the world. And yet, every winter I am faced with the choice to practice thankfulness, to walk in gratitude, to notice the moments that bring light. Here, in the snowfallen, slushy streets; in the wind that bites at uncovered ears and frostbitten toes; and dark blur of puffer coats bobbing home after the 4 o'clock sunset, winter teaches me the practice of gratitude in a way no other season truly can.

These earmuffs from my roomie for Christmas have been termed "the Teddy Bear ears"
...and I live in them.

Hand-knit mittens for Christmas from Betsy

Gratitude is more than the practice of begin thankful, it is bringing worship to the One who always gives, provides, sustains, and beautifies. One can look at a tree and mourn the loss of leaves or one can look at the tree and be thankful for the tree. When this discipline is practiced, one's senses become alive to the world in a spirit of wonder, and that is when one decides to put the complaints aside and chooses to truly live.

MOSAIC - a new job, new students, new eyes of awe.

Winter nights are time to hunker down, binge watch Netflix docs,
and sip endless bottles of wine in the presence of best friends.

Hey Chicago - at least we are in it together!