Summer has faded, and the changes of fall have passed. Trees are barren except for the vigilant Evergreen. The North wind blows with a fierceness and rustles the leaves at my feet, as I walk along a empty path down by a dark and quiet stream. The water churns along and takes with it bits of wood and fallen leaves. Soon parts of it will be frozen with ice that will glisten like rough diamonds in the winter sun. Shorts have been put away and coats have come out, I relish the warmth of wool and down feathers. At night I sit by a fire and listen to the children read, as sleep falls over their eyes making them long for a warm bed and peaceful dreams. Though many will stay deep inside and hibernate until the spring thaw has come, I will walk out into the white blanket that will soon cover the landscape with the flakes of the first snow. I long for this time, for it settles my soul. All things seem to make sense and the world takes a long rest and breathes a deep sigh of relief, when winter finally comes.