A couple weeks ago, right after I was mastering the art of walking in incredibly slippery ice, I woke up only to see a miracle: there was sun shining through the window and the birds were singing. In that second, I felt something running through my veins (Vitamin D, is that you?) and my energy level risen up, feeling ready to deal with anything.
My happiness went away as fast as it came, since my -Finnish- friends kept telling me: it’s fool’s spring! get ready for the second winter!
“Second winter?”
WAIT WHAT?! NO! HOW MANY WINTERS DOES THIS COUNTRY HAVE? HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE? NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT IT. DIDN’T YOU THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT TO TELL ME BEFORE? YOU COULD’VE SAID “FINLAND, THE COUNTRY OF THE THREE WINTERS” INSTEAD OF BRAGGING ABOUT THE LAKES, I HAVEN’T EVEN SEEN THAT MANY LAKES IN TURKU.
My speechless, drama-free-Finnish-friend didn’t even changed his expression and said with a smile “I’m quite positive there’s not gonna be a third winter this year”.
(Surprisingly, all the Finns I know have said the same).
So I walked back home, heartbroken, with my hands inside the pockets of my -second winter- jacket, in complete denial. Winter in Finland, has been fun and tough at the same time. It was not as cold as I was expecting, but the darkness made it specially difficult. After that,I agreed I should treat myself with coffee, good music and some -Fazer- chocolate. Then I realized on how much time I’ve spent with myself during this long winter.
I reflected on how effortless was to find in myself, the perfect company during the coldest days, under a cloudy sky with unpredictable snow.
Grey days made me find peace and warmth in the deepest nooks of my head. Spring will make everything brighter, that’s for sure, but what I found while I was wander in endlessly grey, will remain in my head as one of the best discoveries in all of the winters I’m meant to live.
Winter, you’ve been the best mirror I never thought I’d need.
