As the snow falls softly onto the ground, and the city stirs, I sit here staring at a pair of small, black birds flitting through the sky. I watch as they play, dodging back and forth, teasing each other with graceful aerial maneuvers .  At first I thought that they must be freezing, spinning around in the cold morning air. But as the sparkling flakes swirl about them, I realize something: the birds don't notice the cold.  They are free.  They are alive.  I would give almost anything to be a bird today.  Fly me away.....