Right now we're experiencing quite the blizzard, and expecting 2ft of snow by the end of it. I don't deny that I am a wimpy Canadian. I hate winter. And because I hate winter, I complain about winter. At length. Ad nauseum.
I was thinking today about winter and the Kübler-Ross grief cycle... and I think that how Canadians react to winter actually follows the cycle quite well.
Shock stage: Initial paralysis at hearing the bad news.
After coming out of a sweltering summer, and having only enjoyed about 12 hours of temperate fall weather, we all observe the first snowfall and exclaim "Isn't that pretty?" But really, we're all in horrible horrible shock over the fact that any hope of consistently nice weather has been snatched away so soon.
Denial stage: Trying to avoid the inevitable.
This sets in around the end of January after the Christmas and New Year's elation has worn off. It peaks around February 2nd when we actually believe what that rodent Wiarton Willy has to say. This is where we start saying "Spring is just around the corner." Yeah, right.
Anger stage: Frustrated outpouring of bottled-up emotion.
This starts in March when the calendar mocks you with it's vibrant green four leaf clover, when our surroundings are anything but. Also when suggestions of roasting Willy on a spit start to float around. But it's not his fault, we're the ones who put our faith in a groundhog after all.
Bargaining stage: Seeking in vain for a way out.
Middle of March. We start saying "You know, if we could just get one nice day." and start listing off the things we'd do with that one nice day. As if we're trying to strike a deal with Mother Nature, pleading for her to let the sun out, and promising not to squander her efforts by spending the day cooped up in the office.
Depression stage: Final realization of the inevitable.
End of March. It's a sad sad time...
Testing stage: Seeking realistic solutions.
We begin finding innovative solutions to our winter woes.
(Er... yeah, it's in french... I don't understand most of it... but I think some things are universal... stick it through to the end)
Acceptance stage: Finally finding the way forward.
April has arrived, and the snow has began to melt in earnest. We still get a freak snowstorm here and there, but the end is definitely in sight. We can now look forward to an all too short but temperate spring, before we start complaining about a hot and humid summer.
And the cycle continues...
2 comments:
Yes, it is like we are mourning our hopes and dreams.
I was going to call you a wimp, but then remembered that you live in Minden, and I live in Toronto, where we call in the army if there's too much snow. So complain away! ;)
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