WINTER FUN AT NIGHT

I WISH THIS WERE THE REAL VIEW THAT WE HAD
FROM OUR BEDROOM WINDOW

The picture is but a poor approximation of the view that we had from our bedroom window during snowstorms.  Needless to say, we had no digital cameras then and no television and at the time when we had the greatest fun peering out the window into the snowy world was before we were permitted to have a radio in our bedroom.  So of course, Winter was our greatest opportunity for free entertainment.
Let me say that we were not artists appreciating the wintry beauty as created by God Himself.  We were looking down at the slippery T intersection.  We spent many hours waiting and actively anticipating the slipping and sliding of automobiles that hit the right turn too fast and would skid and fish-tail their way down the intended road rather than to run into our house.  Oh, the times we had leaning on the window sills, quietly staring and whispering in a conspiratorial way about what our wager was that the next vehicle would do.  Sometimes, it would begin to snow after we had gone to bed.  If we noticed it, we would wake one another to spend time by the window.  It was the best way to enjoy the view and to enjoy one another quietly without drawing the wrath of our parents. I don't know about my brother, but I think of this a lot.  
I especially think about it when I get email PowerPoint shows with the ten commandments of how to grow old gracefully, how to protect yourself from Alzheimer's, how to keep your blood pressure low and a myriad of others that simply cause me to hit the "delete" button and start the day dream about our night "show" and the warm personal companionship in which we enjoyed it.  Those were simple times.  Those were innocent times.  Those were times that, believe it or not, formed our relationship for the rest of our lives.  I think, even more than the times after we were permitted to have a radio.  They were good times especially when we were awaiting Christmas.  If if began to snow and we could play our little game, we wouldn't wear ourselves out emotionally about what Christmas would bring.
I am not wishing for the gold old times.  I am enjoying the 21st century too much.  I must say that our present situation does have its negative aspects.  But then again, so did the past.  Those of us who were there can attest to that. 
The most important thing that these moments gave is the work of the grace of God, filling us with mutual fraternal love, then and now and forever.