I’ve been living in South Florida for more than five years now and every day it becomes more and more of a sad state to be in- literally. I MISS the colors of the leaves in the fall, the cool breeze that blows even in the summer, the falling leaves, the need for a jacket, the appearance of the earth and everything on it without the sun shining, the smell of a cool rain, the wonder of watching snow fall, a walk outside in the fall, spring, or summer that leaves a person feeling refreshed, the need for warm beverages, the sound of people outside, the lights of Christmas and smell of evergreens, the need for heat, a fireplace and warm clothing, the conversation that carries on when two people are outside walking just so the moment can continue, a layer of snow covering everything, a need for the warmth that comes from being in the company of others, campgrounds at dusk with blazing fires and people huddled around roasting marshmallows and the people who care genuinely for the wellbeing of others- some call them family, I call them Iowans.