Dark clouds have silver linings

[plural]

it was a nearly three hours ride
to get home yesterday

it was pouring rain
and freezing cold

and I was soaked to the bone
almost as soon as I started

I stopped about halfway
to fuel up at Tim Hortons
ordered some chili
[yum yum]
and
then decided to go back up
and get some hot cocoa

the bulemic britney spears wannabe
working the counter
looked at me curiously
when I asked for some butter
in addition to my cocoa
and
nearly lost cabin pressure
when I responded to her curious look
by saying

"yeah I need the fat"

anyway
the pit stop
got my body heat cranking again
and I continued on

cold and soaked
and loving every minute of it

got home
took a long hot bath
to remove the last vestiges
of cold from my bones
curled up to watch a movie
with my kitties on the couch
and promptly became unconscious
I woke up once
at some indetermined time
found my kitties still curled tightly against me
and let myself fall back into oblivion

it is rather funny
but I look back over my life
and at so many similar moments

whether hiking, riding, walking, kayaking

whatever
those moments where comfort is a vague memory
and the absurdity of it all makes you laugh

you make jokes with your companions
[or with yourself should you not have any]
about how nice it would be to be safe and warm at home
but the truth is
you wouldnt trade that discomfort for any luxury
and those moments
shivering in the cold
hunkering down in the rain
become fond memories
of a life well lived