Having been pretty much raised in Texas, I have to say that this photo puts a chill in me that is hard to shake:

This picture was taken when I briefly moved to Chicago – in the middle of winter, no less! When I look at this picture today, I am reminded of the beauty that winter can bring us that we often forget. I am also reminded of a time in my life that, quite frankly, was the most difficult for me personally. 

The end result, and the lesson I learned, is that most experiences are a double edged sword. You can take the blizzard and crumble, or emerge stronger than you were during the summer. I like to think that the latter held true for me.