White Christmas

A dog barks and brings me out of my thoughts. I jump and look down, seeing the golden retriever wagging his tail. His red collar is matted and muddy, and the golden tag has dirt on it as well. His dark brown eyes look at me eagerly, awaiting my move. Scrunching my nose I pet his dirty ears lightly then smile. He chases his tail for a few moments, making sure I watch him the whole time. I smile wider as the playful pup barks once more then runs off lightly across the muddy grass. I wonder where his owner is but only for a few seconds before the world around me makes my thoughts wander once more.
Although it is a quiet and cold November day in autumn, the park is bustling with activity. Thanksgiving means no school for the children of the town, so laughter and voices reach me from the play structures. Dogs bark and chase each other while owners walk on the dirt trail and talk, rubbing their hands together to stay warm. Birds chirp happily from their nests, and squirrels busily get ready for the cold winter they know is unavoidable. Leaves in bright oranges, soft pinks, and deep reds fall lazily from the trees above, the now bare branches shivering in the harsh wind. The sky is still blue; however dark grey clouds interrupt the once warm sky. The air feels crisp and I breathe deeply, watching my breath escape and join the air around me.
I pull my big black coat around me tighter and cross my legs tight on the hard wooden bench. I think of warm places like Australia and Hawaii and wish I was there. Frowning, I think of the wonderful white snow that we wait for each year. I think of the sound the snow makes as we walk place to place. The soft crunch we hear as our feet meet the frozen ground. I think of how a Christmas tree looks illuminated with lights and the joy I feel seeing the soft snow falling outside the window. I think of how warm it would be during Christmas in Australia and nod once. I decide that even though it will get colder with time, there is nothing that can replace a White Christmas.