Today, my dear friend Cosy gifted me a pair of mittens that she knit for me. They are amazing. She is a simply genius fiber artist and the wool she used is her own handspun and uniquely dyed in the colors of an early spring woods. I am nothing short of in love with these duel jewels.
Then, tonight, as I was doing dishes, I noticed that it was snowing fast outside. Big flakes.
And, somehow, the combination of the quiet of the night, the fast and intense snowfall and having received mittens all brought me to a very special memory. I was home from college on a winter break. One night I went to a coffee shop on Forbes Avenue (that no longer exists) and I waited while a friend closed up after his shift at work. Although this was easily twenty-years ago (more?), I was brought back to the evening and the way that the bleach water from the mop filled the air with something stale while the smell of espresso beans hung in the atmosphere and the Rolling Stones were playing on the sound system. I was young. I was also incredibly in love.
After my friend closed up the coffee shop we walked together back to his house. It was freezing cold and there were huge snowflakes falling. I remember thinking to myself that the moment could not be any more perfect between my love, my youth, and the beauty of that snow falling. Now, you might be wondering where the mittens come in? You see, I was wearing mittens and I took off a mitten so that I could hold my friends’ hand. We walked in almost perfect silence, hand in hand, as the snow landed on our noses and foreheads and covered the top of our hats. Mittens. Snow. Love. It was so safe and so comfortable and the potential of the whole night just rolled out before us along that snowy urban path.
When I close my eyes and I wear my new mittens, far more beautiful mittens than those I wore in the memory, I can feel the beauty of that night. I can feel the presence of my dear friend and the energy of all the love I had in my heart for him. And, just for a moment, in this moment, I am that young woman with her dreams all exposed with the snow falling on her nose–vulnerable, safe, confident and mindful that even though the experience would pass that the memory would serve as a jewel-toned gem for the rest of her life.
And, it is.
Thanks for the walk in the snow and for holding my hand. Thanks for the beautiful mittens.
