Heavy snow laden branches stretching out as if grasping for something to hold them up. The previous day these same branches were void of anything but a few birds and squirrels. Winter asserted herself with a vicious storm which swept across much of the continent.

As I study these tree branches; roots, mycelium, and tendrils come to mind. Even human nerves and blood vessels seemingly appear as these thread-like tenacles. The snow clings to bark like urchins to rocks. After the snow stopped and the temperature dipped, the wind gusted heavily, and the snow began to fall, but not all of it.

Like all storms, calm eventually replaces havoc. The sun will shine tomorrow, but remnants of clouds will still float by to remind us of nature’s fury. I shudder when I contemplate what it would be like to be trapped in the wilderness during such a storm; with no shelter, no food, inadequate clothing, lacking reassuring direction, no cell phone, and faced with the prospect of trying to survive by my own wits. Would I be up to the task? Would I lose hope and perish? Or would I rise to the occasion and push on until I found relief?

I may never experience such an ordeal, but I want to believe that I would push on and survive…to live another day. Whether the quest be called courage, ‘the will to survive’, or sheer stubbornness, the result would be the same…appreciation for another opportunity to breathe, to laugh, to not squander the precious time I have left in my life. I certainly don’t know what tomorrow (or even the rest of today) may offer me in the way of challenges or blessings, but what I do know is this: cherish each pleasant moment and make wonderful memories with those we love most.