Hej from Denmark! It has been a busy few weeks since I arrived in Copenhagen, so I was glad to spend some quiet moments grounding myself in nature this week. Sitting in the King’s Garden, it was hard not to notice, first and foremost, that it was cold. Can I zip my coat up further, wrap my scarf tighter, stick my hands further into my pockets? For a few minutes, I was unable to focus on anything besides my chilly ears and numb toes. But eventually, those feelings fell away, and I was able to tune in to my surroundings. The bare tree branches created intricate designs against the sky, the wind whistled through the nearby shrubs, and a few ducks and geese were honking at each other in the distance. When I was finally able to see it, there was much beauty in the dormant landscape.

I have found that there is a common refrain of locals and visitors alike in Denmark this time of year: “just wait until the spring.” And while I understand the sentiment—my frequently numb fingers and toes would certainly appreciate a change in climate—I have to wonder if our hope for better weather is blinding us to the appeal of winter. Just as I was distracted from the landscape by the cold, everyone seems content to ignore the outdoors until the weather improves. But I wonder what would happen if we were more willing to be present in this season; if winter was something to enjoy rather than endure. Spring will come, but for now, I will find beauty in the austere landscape; quiet and subdued, but patient in its return to life.