I have lived in very hot and cold climates throughout my life.
To be honest, I don't remember too much of the heat of Brazil. I was ten years old when I left from Rio de Janeiro to go live in New York City. Although I do remember we used to go to the beach a lot and I played outside a lot but I don't remember how the heat felt.
My family moved to New York City in the month of October so the weather was already crisp when we arrived. I had never felt that weather before but I fell in love with it right away. My body slowly adjusted to the very cold weather of New York City as the months progressed and with it my love for the winter season grew as well. Whenever it was summer and I felt uncomfortable, sticky, sweaty, itchy from mosquito bites, and had skin irritations, I longed for the cool days again. The very month we arrived, there was a huge snowstorm and that was the first time I experienced snow. It was beautiful but I was over it soon after - although I loved when it snowed on Christmas.
Today I live in the north of Greece with my husband and our two children and the weather here is perfect. I never thought I would be so lucky to live in a place with the absolute best weather - for me anyway!
We have no harsh winters. Our winter is a very cool Fall. I appreciate this weather very much because now that I have small children, enjoying a life outside of the home is easier when it's cool rather than freezing! Children need to burn energy and what better way than to be outside? Also, pumpkins are harvested here late November and they continue to grow till March or so - thus the reason why I can never find pumpkins in October to decorate my front porch.
It rains on and off in March and April but we have lots of sunshine starting in March all the way till November or so. So for those people who despises gloomy "New York days" like my husband, you definitely understand how great this is. We also begin going to the beach regularly in May and continue all the way to mid October. It's crazy but so welcomed!
I'm a homebody so living life outside of the home is something I'm not used to. However I understand the benefits of it and so little by little I'm making small changes to make sure my children gain the benefits of it. The sun light, breathing fresh air, walking, having contact with animals and nature, walking barefoot outside and playing with soil, are only some of the changes we've implemented into our children's routines that we believe are essential in their growth and development. And all of these things were't possible before because of a variety of reasons including and mostly because of the very cold weather in New York City.
Trust me when I "say", we have never and we will never take our great weather here in Greece for granted!
How's the weather where you live? Comment below!
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