Winter is one of my favorite seasons. How beautiful it is to have hot tea and a book in hand, and look outside while it is snowing. Each snowflake that falls reminds me of my friends and my brave people. They are as beautiful as snowflakes.
Watching the snow fall is calming even when the news is bad. That’s what I like most in this season. Snow and rain clear the air and I can spend more time with my family and focus more on my lessons and writings.
Still, I worry about my people’s survival in this season. There are some who can’t survive the freezing weather. I see the chilled hands of the poor children selling snacks along the road and I feel wretched. It’s difficult to think of people dying of cold. It’s difficult to see the street vendors selling food while not earning enough to feed their families, while other people like me rest on soft beds or warm sofas.
In 2010 there was a massive winter avalanche in Salang, the mountain pass north of Kabul, between Kabul and Mazar. Many people died. I felt terrible watching it on the news. Buses and cars were caught in the avalanche and swept off the road.
The TV showed huge snows, with people carrying their dead, and orphaned children crying out for their parents, holding their parents’ shoes and possessions.
Everything in nature offers benefits and harm. Winter brings time to read and enjoy the beauty of the falling snowflakes. But winter also brings serious problems.
By Mary B., age 15
Photo by Michael Foley.
Dear Mary B. — This is a realistic look at winter — the good and the bad. Your kind heart shines through your words. You are not blinded by your own comfort during winter. You can still see what a harsh time it is for many. Your empathy for those less fortunate than you is important — and I can see that you will always be someone who cares deeply for those around you. Thank you for writing this essay that shows us winter through your eyes. All best wishes, Nancy
Hi dear miss Nancy, I hope you are doing well. Thanks for your support! I can’t thank you enough.
It’s a dream come true, I always wanted my essays to be published in such awesome projects! it had been my dream.
Nice work! you are so young but you write very great pieces. Hope you be a perfect writer.
Thank you for encouraging me dear Anonymous.
As winter arrives here in New York City and I look out from my apartment today at the snowflakes, I am taken to Kabul, via your essay, and once again reminded of how fortunate I am. I worry for those in your city, as you do, and hope for a brief winter!
Best,
Liz
Dear Mary, Thank you for this essay! It shows what a kind and caring person you are. Keep writing– I look forward to reading more of your work in the future. Best wishes from Ashley.
Hi! Thanks for encouraging me. I surely will, I’ll do my best to write better than this. Thanks again.
So glad to see your work on here, Maryam. Congrats on being recognized.
Thanks a lot!