By late February, many Kansans have grown tired of winter, the bitter cold and all that comes with it. Of course, not everyone agrees with that sentiment. KPR News Director J. Schafer is one of them. Here, with his very own "Ode to Winter" is J. Schafer, reading his piece entitled, "In Defense of February."
Guest Commentator J. Schafer is the News Director of Kansas Public Radio. His love for winter may be explained in part by the fact that he was born during the freezing month of February.
In Defense of February originally appeared on J. Schafer's Facebook page ( JD Schafer).
(Transcript)
In Defense of February
February is a magnificent month and unique among the 12. Like gold, it's in limited supply. So precious is February that we only get 28 or 29 days of it each year. Other months are much more commonplace, selfishly growing like weeds into 30 or 31 days. Does anyone really need 31 days of August? No. Spare me the sweat-filled summer heat, with its oppressive humidity and meddlesome insects flying about. Bring forth the brutal, unrelenting, majestic power that lies in the heart of winter.
Give me a cold, clean blanket of newborn snow covering everything as far as the eye can see, while white puffs of smoke quietly billow from chimney tops. February is full of crackling fireplaces, flannel shirts and rich hot chocolate. A time for warm woolen jackets. Soft leather gloves. Without February, there is no Cupid, no Valentine's Day, no heart-shaped boxes filled with candy.
Glitter-filled snow sparkles under a full moon February night, illuminating ghostly rabbit tracks that dot the barren landscape. They give silent testimony to a hidden truth that lies buried below, that even in the depths of winter, life goes on.
This sacred second month isn't for quitters. It's for true believers. Like the warm glow from a lantern, February is that flickering flame of hope, the promise of tomorrow. February is faith itself.
So, embrace the dawn of another cold winter's day and breathe deeply. Let the cold, crisp air fill your lungs, reminding you how it feels to be alive during Earth's great slumber. For only in the crisp, early morning hours of February can we mortals begin to see the clearness of light.
And in the quiet stillness of fresh, fallen snow, gaze in wonder as the world is made new.
~ J. Schafer / February, 2021
