Cold Weather

By Hank Pangborn, KUUF Board Co-President

Possibly you share my dislike for bitterly cold weather. Since I grew up in Nebraska, you probably can sense why I feel that way. There were the days of walking to school with bone chilling temps about to give me what I knew would be a case of frostbite. And though my fingers and toes always warmed up just fine, I knew my time would be up the next time the temperature plummeted. And there were also the times of working my paper route at 4:30 in the morning and fighting those winds-of-the-plains as I dragged my snow-laden, multiple-layered self from customer’s abode to abode to deliver their window onto the world. Is it any wonder that I dislike cold weather?

But then....... There was also that great igloo that my brother Jim let me help him build. It was great! It was about six feet across and about four feet tall on the inside, with an entrance tunnel that we curved to keep out the wind. What fun that was to construct and play in. No one in the whole neighborhood had anything that measured up. And then there was the time when the early snows came and came heavily. We went up to the meat locker to get out our turkey to prepare for Christmas dinner and did so walking. It was only a distance of eight blocks, or so, but it was a memorable experience. We took our sled and took turns riding there as Dad pulled. Then it was the (frozen) turkey’s turn to ride all the way home as we kids cavorted alongside. Those are some good loving memories; even though it was freezing.

So maybe I don’t really dislike the bad weather and low temperatures as much as I thought. For those conditions are so intertwined with many good, loving memories and experiences that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Do you know what I mean?

As you read this, we are transitioning from the traditional time of year when we have celebrated our family, friends and other loved ones and have now begun to contemplate a new year with its many opportunities and prospects for the future. We experience the start of this New Year and decade with anticipation, love and hope (or not). Whatever our experience, though, may we all reach out to one another the hand of kinship, renewing our mutual commitment to care for one another. So if the bitter cold of adversity chills any hope for the future in the life of our brother or sister, may we act to ensure a response in love – a response that builds a loving memory in their hearts and ours.