Winter has a positive side if you look for it!

I this time of year when the leaves have changed and are parading landscapes with vibrant reds, oranges and yellow. It is easy to get depressed, however, when those leaves soon fall to the ground and remind us of the impending colder weather that is about to become our reality for the next several months. And it's far too easy to focus on the negative aspects that come with winter - extra clothing to go out doors, runny noses and cold fingers, slush and fearful drivers.

Having a special needs child can sometimes make me feel as though we stuck in an eternal winter. Emotional break downs and tantrums, challenging communication, lack of understanding, special diets, endless waiting lists and appointments, isolation and fear.

In certain moments that often catch me off guard, I can focus on the little jems that come with the cold weather, both literally and figuratively in life.

Warm sweaters and snuggles by the fire, snowshoeing with the kids, taboogoning, sitting with a cup of tea watch the snow fall out the window.

We recently brought home our son's service dog. She is amazing in everyway and has the potential to dramatically change our family's life! Something she has already begun to do. The first year with a service dog includes MANY adjustments and MANY learning opportunities. Sometimes, although it would be easy to focus on the drab points of this new relationship, I am purposeful long looking on the sunny side , enjoying the best parts of winter and knowing full well that after every winter there is spring. The colour will return and in full vibrancy with not only reds, yellows and oranges but with greens, purples, pinks and every colour of the rainbow.