by Sarah Tieck

The tiny snowflakes falling in golden light remind me of a snow globe. Waves of ice cascade over the roof’s edge, curling like an ocean stingray. Even as I notice the beauty and whimsy, this winter seems endless—especially as I stare at a particularly ironic yard sign that presides over an icy snowbank, screaming Grow!

That “Grow” sign’s metaphors have haunted me all winter. Looking at it, I know the ground is resting beneath the ice. Resting now allows for healthy growth later. But winter makes the world seem quiet and lifeless—hard to believe that in a few months the ground where that sign sits will be lush with green and myriad other colors.

Having been through winter in Minnesota before, I know the subtle signs that tell me spring is coming. Each day the light lingers a bit more. And soon, snow will give way to puddles and the warm air will smell like fresh dirt and lilacs. The vision I’m clinging to will be realized with petunias cascading down the steps and purple fountain grass blowing in summer’s warm breezes.

I often connect creativity and writing dreams with seasons. But there’s a disconnect for me as a creative person. I don’t know the signs that my dream is coming to life. I don’t see the growth during what feels like a creative winter. During this quiet beginning part—and winter truly isthe beginning—it is hard to trust that where you are, is the way to where you dream of going.

I think about one dream in particular that I want right now—I don’t have the words just yet to clearly describe the picture in my head of me at my next birthday. All I can say is that girl looks and feels different. Her presence is bolder. She savors. She laughs. The gutsy things she writes see life beyond her notebook, just like the “safe” ones. I keep saying “she” because I don’t quite feel like her yet. But I am on my way, even though much of my work isn’t visible yet. Parts of me are doing work I can’t see and they need this time—just like the earth. Spring has started—growth is happening beneath the “Grow” sign. Today’s simple actions nourish the next phase and the next. But still, I sometimes feel stuck in winter and the feeling that spring and summer will never arrive.

When the winter freezes me in this way, I have to remind myself to focus in the moment and work on becoming the person who is ready for spring—and the same is true of becoming the person who is ready for a dream to blossom. Because really, that is the journey.

So on this cold afternoon, I’m savoring chicken noodle soup and watching Pride and Prejudicestarring Colin Firth. I’ve started thinking about our community garden. And I’m focused on making our indoor space a haven. I’m enjoying this moment, pulling on that distant vision of spring as I prepare and grow.

Sarah Tieck stretches writing skills gained during years in her field—first as a newspaper reporter, then as a magazine editor at Minnesota Monthly—in many directions, teaching workshops, editing, writing, freelancing, and working on her first novel. Her publishing credits include a Reader’s Digest publication called Home of Your Dreams, Minnesota Monthly, the Chicago Tribune, the Star Tribune, and a story sold to Ladies’ Home Journal. She also edits and writes nonfiction books for children at 8-13 Creative in Minneapolis. www.sarahtieck.com