The Northern Lights
    
I wiped my nose with the back of my hand and sniffled. I was probably catching a cold because my boots were soaked and my feet were freezing despite the wool socks I was wearing. I glanced at Mariel, who was skiing beside me and gazing up at the heavens. She caught my look and smiled.
    
“Isn’t this fun?” she asked, hopefully.
    
I shrugged. “To be honest, no.”
    
“Oh, Tracy, can’t you understand?” She sighed.
    
I didn’t answer. Understand what? Why she liked going skiing and camping in the freezing cold? Even though we were close sisters, our interests and hobbies differed greatly. Mariel enjoyed spending all her time outside, no matter what the weather was. My idea of a good time was curling up in a cozy chair with a book and a cup of tea in hand. I’m not exactly sure how Mariel convinced me to come with her on this cross-country skiing/camping trip, but I was wishing I was sitting in front of the fire with our cat instead of being out here, catching my death of cold.
    
Suddenly, I saw a faint glow in the sky. “What’s that?” I cried, slightly alarmed.
    
Mariel glanced upwards, but just smiled.
    
The glow grew stronger, until dancing, flickering, greenish yellow bands of shimmering light stretched themselves across the dark sky. I stood there, transfixed. I’d read about the Northern Lights, but I had never seen them, although I lived far enough north for that to  be possible.
    
“Every time I go out on a trip, I hope to see them,” Mariel said softly. “Nothing makes me happier than this.”
    
I didn’t say anything, just let the silence fall. Although my feet were still freezing cold and this wasn’t exactly my idea of fun, I now understood why Mariel went out so often. It was worth the cold and snow to see these lights. We stood quietly together, watching, until they faded away, leaving the sky with its glittering stars, like shards of glass when the light hits them.