The Longest Season

Also published as, "The New Iowan," The Chronicle, February 18, 2010


Although I have written about winter a few times already, I am still asked one question several times each week: “How are you surviving your first winter?” I must be surviving well because some of my coworkers recently gave me an Olympic-style gold medal that reads, “Surviving Iowa Winter.” My obvious hesitation to announce my success is that it is only February!

It is no surprise that I am asked about this never-ending season. First, experiencing winter has to be one of the biggest differences between Iowa and Southern California where I grew up. Second, let’s be honest – this particular winter has been a season of extreme weather! Hopefully I’m getting the record-breaking storm season out of the way so in the future I can laugh in the face of little ol’ snow storms and mutter to anyone younger than me about how this is nothing compared to the winter of 2009-2010.

I must say the past months have been a trial-by-fire learning experience. When I decided to move to Iowa, my only anxiety was about learning to drive in winter weather. Thanks to on-the-job training, I feel that mission has been accomplished! Sure, I have been stuck a time or two, but thanks to my patient husband and to good friends, getting my vehicle stuck has been a learning experience rather than a catastrophe. Who knew there was a systematic method to busting through drifts with a two wheel drive car? And who knew I would ever in my life use terms like “busting through drifts”?

I feel lucky to have chosen a profession in public education because if the weather is bad, school is canceled and I get to stay home. I have developed the utmost respect for people in jobs that go on despite the blowing snow outside at this very moment: farmers with livestock, plow drivers, my mail carrier, and countless others. When I have the luxury of staying warm inside, there are many folks who bundle up and head out just to keep the community going.

I am ready for spring like everyone else, but there are some great things about winter. The snow looks beautiful across the hilly fields, and the below-freezing temperatures make me unbelievably appreciative of “warm” weather in the twenties. The best part about winter doesn’t really have anything to do with winter: it’s that I’ve now been here long enough to develop a few real friendships at work and in the community, and that makes life in the middle of a blizzard a whole lot more complete than it was back in warm, green July.


Copyright Rachel Burns 2010