Last Friday’s forecast of 1-3 inches of snow morphed into almost a foot. Suddenly, we had a full-blown snow day on our hands. Schools closed, there was a run on bread and milk, and a few unlucky folks ended up in the ditch.
I went home and took my dog out into the snow!
Because that’s what you do on snow days in the mountains. You bundle up and go out in it.
- You catch snowflakes on your tongue.
- You make snow angels (which the dog promptly spoils).
- You throw snowballs and make snowmen.
- You come inside with your cheeks rosy and drink hot chocolate.
- You find dry mittens and go out again.
- You go sledding!
Thistle and I ventured out into the neighborhood and found two kids doing most of the above. Best of all, they were building a snow ramp for their sleds. My brothers and I did that. If you poured water on it before going in for the evening it would freeze over and go even faster on day two. (Unless your mom found out and sent your dad out to break it up before you could break a leg.)
In my memory, snow days were times when all the regular, day-to-day busy-ness of life slowed and sometimes stopped altogether. It was as if the whole world–my whole world–was muffled in that glorious white mantle of snow.
Last Friday was like that. Sent home from work, no thought of going anywhere, and our sweet little valley utterly transformed by lacey bits of ice. It reminded me of the very best thing to do in the snow . . .
Stop. Tilt your face up to the sky. Listen.
Do you hear that?
It’s the gentle chink, chink, chink of unexpected, undeserved peace washing your overwhelmed spirit clean. Leaving it–if only for a moment–white as . . . snow.
I read an article last week explaining the physics of why the silence of “snowing” is what it is…. I’d rather just enjoy it. It’s “the sound of silence” like no other. Till broken with the memories of the happy squeals of three children and an airedale flying down the hill. 🙂
Yes, some things are better simply enjoyed!
Sweet Sarah, this made me cry. Yes. And snow ice-cream from the freshest top layer. In Texas, this is a rarity … once a year maybe, if we get really lucky. Blessed. It happened once on Christmas Day … really. Christmas Day. Not just a little either. A lot. It’s like rain in West Texas … you cherish it because you get so little. You long for it. Because it’s a piece of God … something He makes … the top layer washing over you. Peace, grace, memories washing over you. Childhood memories. When the world stands still … it ought to happen more often. We so need it. <3 Thank you for this. I feel like a little kid. Just what I needed for Christmas.
Like a little kid is exactly how I felt out there in it! Moments to treasure . . .
Your post almost nudged me in the direction of appreciating snow. Can’t it just stay up there in the mountains?
I can appreciate it about twice a year so long as it doesn’t mess up my plans too much . . . Snow is lovely to visit.
I decree it may visit in December, linger for a couple of weeks in January if a tidy, polite visitor, but must be gone by Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, I don’t have much weather clout. Our snow usually lasts well into April.