THE NEW IOWAN
by Rachel Burns
Signing Off
When I meet someone and he or she learns I moved here from Southern
California just over a year ago, I often hear the same response: “Wow,
so that was your first winter? They’re not all like that!” Although I
haven’t admitted this to anyone until now, recently a thought crossed my
mind that makes me feel not-so-new: I miss winter. I really do. That
thought surprised even me.
Functioning in cold, harsh weather was my primary cause for anxiety
when deciding to make the big move. There were certainly some scary
moments, and even rough days last winter. I learned to love spring and
of course I am enjoying summer. But there have been some recent moments
that make me look forward to the winter to come.
I think the summer rain was a catalyst to these thoughts. I feel
somewhat accustomed to the hot, stormy days. However, for my entire life
with the exception of the past year, rain has been a winter occurrence.
Rain in Southern California is generally isolated to January or
February. If it is raining in Orange County, you can bet that it is
relatively cold outside – as cold as it gets there, anyway. So to me
rain has always meant wearing warm clothes, staying inside, and maybe
even a fire in the fireplace. Rain used to be associated with staying
cozy inside on wintry days. It may be a long time before I think of hot
summer days and nights filled with thunderstorms as my own version of
“rainy days.”
Maybe I’m crazy to miss the season of severe ice storms, snow blowing
across the road, and bitter winds. I just think
the countryside looked so beautiful blanketed in white. I loved picking
out a scarf and gloves in the mornings. I long for those evenings when I
sat in front of the corn stove with a mug of hot chocolate.
I know I am still new here and my frame of reference is largely
influenced by the big city and balmy weather. But if I can actually miss
the season I used to fear, I think it is time to sign off as the New
Iowan. It has been a great year for my husband and me, and we look
forward to many more. Thank you for reading.
