Dear Winter,
When we heard that you were coming, we prepared excitedly for your arrival. We pulled out coats, boots, hats, and mittens from the basement so we could don them on our way out to meet you. We pulled out blankets and flannel sheets so we could snuggle cozily into bed knowing you would whistle to us through the windows. We pulled out hot chocolate and marshmallows and brought our mugs to the front of the cupboard so we could warm ourselves from the inside knowing you would dazzle us again with your snowflakes and icicles amidst the white canvas outside.
Yes, when we heard that you were coming, we prepared excitedly for your arrival.
And then you came. You came with much zeal this year, banging on the door and dropping 28 inches of snow during the first week of December. At first we appreciated your grand entrance because it was rather remarkable. We also appreciated the beauty that you brought, particularly with Christmas around the corner.
Yes, you came with much zeal this year and we appreciated your initial arrival.
But then you chose to stay in full force. It is one thing to stay as a quiet and accommodating guest and quite another to take advantage of your hosts during your visit. Perhaps our welcoming party was a bit too encouraging to you. Perhaps our willingness to clean up after you made you feel a bit too comfortable and brazen. Either way, you have continued dumping snow and delivering freezing temperatures to the point that we have begun to regret welcoming you with such open arms. We know that you have always felt particularly at home in Northern Minnesota, but regardless, we must be blunt: Winter, you have overstayed your welcome.
I don't mean to be brusque, but Eli had to snowshoe to work this morning because we couldn't get our car out of the driveway/alley yet again. (In case you didn't know, people don't put their sicknesses on hiatus just because you decided to have another party - in other words, Eli still had to get to work somehow!) Furthermore, your little white lies have led to our complete frustration. You said that you would deliver another 6-9 inches of snow over the past two days. You then proceeded to deliver 15 inches instead - and we don't believe for a minute that you didn't actually know what you were doing!
Winter, it is time for you to go. Yes, we are aware it is only February. Yes, we are aware that you are usually allowed to stay at least another month, sometimes two, here in Northern Minnesota. But we are pulling the plug. You have overstayed your welcome this time and we must insist that you depart.
We only hope that Spring will come with such bravado as you did.
Sincerely,
The Horns
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baking cookies while braving the snowstorm
"Wait, we got how much more snow?"
our backyard this evening
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