By Dariga Atayeva, Year 11
It is an odd transition–autumn to winter. November, the month of intersection for the conversion to take place, strikes some individuals. Instantly as the calendar indicates November 1st, one can take notice of all Christmas decorations being set. The accumulated inactivity of the cold season prompts society to forecast and wait for the following celebrations. Christmas is a great time of the year, but is it really worth the present?
In this particular seasonal transition, Hazel’s motivation and consistency seemed to flow out from her, like a filled water bottle with a tiny hole punctured at the bottom. She began hitting snooze on her alarm, losing track of time and waking up later than usual. This sensation frightened her. When asked about her environment, she blamed it on the season’s characteristics. She tried to find something to look forward to, like Christmas. Douglas fir covered in multicoloured plastic decorations, lights shaped like snowflakes and wings, toys, and hot cocoa–all this excitement provoking impatience towards reaching the long break. However, Hazel couldn’t reciprocate the same feeling. Observing the people around her, she found it rather sad how none of them could take pleasure in the present moment. All students talked about was how much they were looking forward to making it through another week, counting the days until the breaks.
As the moon gave way to the rising sun, so could one discern Hazels’ figure under the great Douglas fir, kneeling in a congenial position. Her phone was on Do Not Disturb, she avoided her parents’ concerned messages. She was aware of their opinion regarding her as an esoteric individual. She tried to forget about the wrangle of her household which caused affliction to her spirits. Taking deep breaths, she clenched her hands together and pursued to stroll around the village. Snow was nowhere to be seen yet, though trees were already stripped naked from their leaves. In a small brick cottage selling decorations, Hazel made a friend. The business was owned by a short old man with bifocals and whitened thin hair. Hazel called him Fred, though she didn’t know his real name. Their relationship was built when Hazel turned 10. She returned to the cottage every time her home didn’t feel safe to her. Fred never asked questions, and he offered biscuits. That is how Hazel understood that she was welcome anytime. Fred was a quiet man, he spoke only when he found it necessary. On that particular frozen day, when Hazel entered the cottage early in the morning, Fred was making his daily cup of coffee. Having heard the doorbell, he turned around and nodded as a sign of greeting. Hazel nodded back and started looking around at all the new collections for Christmas displayed on the shelves. She complimented Fred’s craftsmanship. Fred nodded once more.
Hazel stayed in the cottage until dark. It was freezing out, and she found pleasure in discussing various different topics that piqued her interest by the fire with Fred, who was a great listener.
When Hazel got home, she was not only at peace with the present, but she also began appreciating the cold season as a real opportunity for greater connections.
