Winter Fun... An Oxymoron?

When did I start disliking winter so much?  Is it because now these old bones feel the cold and respond with creaks and aches?  Is it because the thought of flying down a hill on a piece of wood doesn't hold any charm anymore? Is it that driving on ice and snow isn't my idea of a good time? (I'm not a great driver on dry pavement!)  I really am not a fan now but you know what? Some of the best memories from my childhood took place in the winter months.

Need I even mention Christmas?  Time off school... Gifts under the tree...spending time with family...the festive foods...the cookies...what wasn't to like, as a kid?

But my acceptance of winter, years ago, went deeper than loving Christmas.  Maybe it was that my Dad was a lover of all things winter and we were "recruited" to join him at an early age.  Back when "liability" wasn't a concern of the city, Potter's Park was opened for sled riding and ice skating..they even furnished a fellow to keep a campfire going, so we could warm ourselves. So on weekends, if it was cold enough or there was snow, we'd pile into the car and head to Potter's.   When we got cold, we'd huddle around the fire, and to this day, I can't smell the aroma of a campfire and not think of my dear winter-lovin' Dad or the fun we had on those winter days.    

Having a day off of school because of snow was probably another reason I tolerated winter years ago.  Snow days weren't that frequent, probably because most of us walked to school and safety, where busses were concerned, wasn't a consideration.  But when there WAS snow, I remember waking up early and huddling around our radio, hoping that our school's name would be announced.   If it was, we'd haul out the heavy coats, mittens and boots (not the fashionable boots of today but ugly black things with those awful buckles!) and head outside.  We'd take turns, pulling each other on the sled...have impromptu  snowball fights... and when the fun was over, (or someone got hurt) Mom had hot chocolate waiting for us.  I remember that those days went a lot faster than the ones we spent in school.

Now, the winter nights find me bundled up in an old-lady robe, checking the thermostat frequently, convinced that hubby has changed it again. Where have the years gone and when did I get so...not young?

I know that one of the benefits of having so many winters behind me is that I appreciate things more.  Christmases, friends, good times...even winter.  But ice skating's probably a memory...so is sled riding....almost every day is "a day off"...  I miss the fun that came with winter, as a kid.  But I'm thinking, that watching the Winter Olympics is a smarter (albeit safer) option these days...now where's that robe?