The leaves softened by the rain no longer crunch beneath my boots or the soft pads of Merlin’s feet. I walk the path and glance behind me to make sure he is still following us. His grey and white coat fluffed from the cold is easy to spot. I stop to sit upon a fallen tree and wait for him to catch up. He leaps into my lap purring. I see the mist and fog filling the valley below and the last bits of the evening sun splash golden highlights through the trees. The earthy smells of leaves and moss flow up as I kick some mud from my boots. A pileated woodpecker calls from below us. Merle rubs his head against my arm and I release a sigh. I can see Charlie and Mira sniffing the path where a coyote has left its mark most likely during the previous night. I know if there is a coyote nearby it will maintain its distance and will instead travel our well worn paths while we sleep in our warm beds. 

The first day of a new year is coming to an end and I pull in hope for more beautiful moments like this. The winter is a difficult time for me. I miss the daylight, I miss warm evenings spent in the garden, I miss the lush canopy of leaves and evenings spent sitting on the deck with Ben. 

As the three of us continue along the path and follow the stream I admire the ferns that flash a splash of green into the shades of brown. Charlie loudly laps up large gulps of water from the spring and Mira darts across the banks in pursuit of the scents of the various forms of wildlife that live in our woods. I notice some conical holes dug into the ground from a skunk and hope that it stays within its home until the sun fully sets. Miss Mira must have smelled its musk, but thankfully she is now sitting alertly below a tree focused on a gray squirrel above.

We climb the steep hill together up to the farmhouse. Merlin is falling a bit behind so I pause. I see woodsmoke swirling from the chimney and the lights of the ceramic Christmas tree Ben’s grandmother painted in the window. I feel so thankful for our home, the warmth of the fire that burns inside, and a nice walk with the animals. Even in the short days and cold winter there is warmth and beauty. Even with the leaves all on the ground there are hints of color all around. Even with another year over there is excitement for a new one just begun.