​ Warmth in a Cold Front

Most of us have been experiencing some interesting weather lately.  To say the least.  The Southeast sweated through 100-degree temperatures only days ago while snowstorms hit some of us in the Midwestern states and others in the Northeast.   
 
What do we do?  What can we do?  There are a number of global warming and other scientific issues hovering. But those issues are up for deep conversation – or conversations, rather - for another time.  I mean what else can we do during extreme weather conditions?
 
Yesterday, I spent a very, very cold, rainy and windy day outside at the Farmers Market.  Oh!  My!  Gosh! I thought I was sufficiently dressed for what I thought was ahead.  But I was not prepared for the shivering I did. Yes.  I shivered even in my knee boots and layered clothing.  
 
Naturally, on a day like yesterday, we do what we can to stay warm in the frigid cold.  We brace ourselves to stay safe in the midst of storms. But there is a different kind of warmth that I experienced on yesterday that acts as a reminder of the kind of warming that makes all the difference in all testing conditions – weather-related or otherwise. 
 
The people I encountered in the icy cold, winds and rain were experiencing the same challenges I was.  We had ice-breakers (No pun intended.) to make us close, in some cases, and closer, in other cases.  Either way, what we were doing was beginning with common interests.  That was the door opener and what was found on the other side of that door was soulful!  
 
I found:

1. Laughter with many
2. Bliss from extraordinarily beautiful live music performances
3. Some of the Creator’s greatest creations in the petting zoo
4. Joy in watching beautiful and talented children share their gift of dance with all
5. Discovery of a shared hometown with one
6. Mutual interests in future fellowship opportunities with several
7. Respect and appreciation with all and for all

 
What I found, in the midst of what could have been a deal-breaker, was an uplifting with my fellow sisters and brothers that warmed my heart, my spirit and my body.  We bonded.   And nothing could be more warming than that!
 
Blueprint for Inclement weather, freezing weather, sunny weather ... any weather:
 
Extend a hand.   Connect to someone.  You will surely reap an experience that makes you forget what troubles you and help you discover what blesses you.

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