Winter's Dawn

Third Place, children's essays

Lucas Weiss |

12/18/2008 - 12/19/08

I rushed down the stairs, my heart racing with glee after being awakened by my internal clock, to find the presents that I receive each year under the sweet-smelling tree dappled in golden light.

My sister Caitlin had come to visit for the holidays. I didn't get to see her much after she went to college, so this was special. My whole family would get to be with me, but most of all I could unwrap presents as far as I could see. I readied myself to pounce onto a present, fearing it would somehow vanish in the excitement.

I looked out the window and saw the gentle snowfall. The sun was just rising, giving it a rosy color. It looked irresistible, so I stood up, wrapped myself in a blanket, walked out the door and sat on my porch. As the sun rose, the silhouetted frozen tears swayed in the wind, as if dancing just for me. I held my hand out to let them fall on me, and just a split second before they melted, I saw their beautiful, intricate designs. I almost felt sad, seeing those glittering works of art melt — yet I felt joyful because I knew they would be born again.

After a few minutes, the sun began to really rise. The sky was lit a fiery crimson, and the snowflakes looked like scarlet glitter falling from the seemingly never-ending blanket above me. I inhaled deeply, the frigid air stinging my nose and filling it with a fresh clean smell.

I heard the door open behind me and saw my sister holding a warm cup of cocoa between her slender fingers.

"Isn't it just the most wonderful thing?" she asked, the rosy light reflecting in her honey-brown eyes.

"Yeah, it really is," I said, smiling.

My sister leaned down and kissed me on the head. In return, I hugged her, the sound of her warm heartbeat resonating in my ears.

I stared at the scene, content in my heart that this was what Christmas was really about.