A Somber Winter Wonderland

By: Taskin Arisha

I have a soft spot for chocolate chip cookies. There's something undeniably delightful about the warmth and gooey sweetness of those tiny chocolate chips that burst with flavor in your mouth. I cherish the sensation of biting into a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie, a burst of heat embracing your mouth. However, cookies from Burger King, specifically on the last day of winter break, don’t quite fit into that comforting and sweet mold. The memory of those cookies are associated with a much bittersweet, nostalgic memory.

I am instantly transported back to December 31st of winter break. We had embarked on an adventure navigating through the frosty streets of Manhattan in the frigid, chilly temperatures which eventually led us back to Parkchester - the neighborhood we all had grown up in that holds a special, unique place in our hearts although I had moved away just two neighbors down 7 years ago. Though we never told each other, it was clear none of us wanted to part ways. As much as it might have bruised our egos, we silently chose to endure the frigid temperatures for an extra thirty minutes, rather than engulfing ourselves in the warmth of our blankets situated on top of our cozy beds. After a couple of hours had passed since our last meal at a sushi restaurant, the one we spent the entirety of the commute complaining about because of its outrageous prices, we reached an unanimous decision to indulge in a well-deserved dessert – cookies. The only question now was where to sit and eat these cookies.

We eventually agreed upon sitting on the edge of the humongous water fountain situated in the middle of Oval Park. Normally, this fountain held a shimmering pool of crystal-clear water that filled the fountain to the brim. But now, with the harsh winter grip, it lay drained, revealing the many tarnished copper pennies scattered across the bottom, each a testament to the futile wishes of countless people who visit the park. However, the park certainly was not empty.

As New Year's Eve approached, the park became a dazzling spectacle adorned with bright holiday lights that danced and sparkled on the cracked concrete below. A multitude of Christmas scenes had been thoughtfully arranged around the vast fountain, meticulously decorated down to the tiniest detail, evoking a profound sense of holiday joy. Some of these scenes were freshly painted in a bright fire truck red, with the pointed, pale ears of Santa's elves peeking out from the beloved windows of Santa's workshop. These were the same scenes in front of which my cousin and I would stand with our parents, eagerly having photos snapped. We would then be directed away from the scenes by the tall guards stationed in the park. There were candy cane-themed mailboxes filled with hopeful notes from kids wishing for new toys, a message to the jolly figure of the holidays. Our notes were among those, wishing for toys or extra days off from school. There were Christmas trees adorned with spirals of delicate fairy lights, casting their warm glow on the reflective, glittery ornaments that playfully clinked in the wind. These ornaments would reflect the flash of the cameras taking everyone's photos in front of these evergreen trees. The tall, majestic evergreen trees cast shadows on the dazzling miniature scenes placed within the shallow pit of the water fountain. The one that stood out the most was a replica of a weathered house with Jesus's family encircling Him, emitting an ethereal glow. My cousin and I would often perch ourselves on the edge of the fountain, hoping to catch any movement from any of the figurines carefully placed in the pit. The entire park had been transformed into a winter wonderland, illuminating the bright, happy memories created within it.

However, the beauty of the enchanting winter wonderland seemed to be lost in the midst of the overhanging somberness. There was a sense of tension that hung in the air that constricted our necks more than our cozy, oversized scarfs ever could. The warmth that was once seeping through the delicate, wrapper of the cookies that we nibbled on, turned into a biting cold that left our fingers numb. In an effort to shatter the uncomfortable silence, I impulsively bought up school. Words gushed forth like a cascading waterfall. I went on and on about the troubles plaguing my mind that I had consciously pushed to the depths of my mind, all in the pursuit of ensuring our little adventure remained as joyful as the holiday season itself. Soon the topic of school shifted to the topic of familia concerns to the realm of self-esteem issues to the regrets of the past and the worries of the future. The time had blown away with the chilly wind, with minutes turning into hours as we huddled together forming connections through heartbreaks, scars, confessions and jokes. Despite the frigid weather, there was a comforting warmth in being able to look into their inviting, brown eyes that nurtured the connection and bond we had built.

The once childlike conversations and dreams that were held in this park turned into those of dreams that held the fear and anticipation of the future. The wind gave us a fleeting kiss in thanks as we found beauty in the universe’s gift of a place that witnessed our shared experiences, weaving the thread of our shared tapestry. The park had evolved alongside us, remaining as a constant presence where we could always return to reconnect and reminisce. The place once stood as a testament to the joyful, light hearted memories of childhood. Now, the place stood as a testament to the vulnerability and resilience I found through the reassuring and comforting presence of my best friends.