We’ll Take What We Can Get

Normally, I am not a winter lover. The dry hands, the short days, the layers upon layers of clothing, and the general dreariness usually over shadow the calm beauty of a new fallen snow despite the squeals of glee emanating from my children.

Last year the East Coast was pummeled by snowstorm after snowstorm, and one blizzard left us literally stranded in our homes for 3 days before the plows came. So this mild winter has been welcome, or so I thought until I saw the adorable little snowflakes on the weather forecast.

Yesterday, I was the first to notice the flakes coming down yesterday, and am certain that I would’ve run to the window squealing with glee, even if I didn’t have any children around.

So I quickly bundled up the kids, trying my best to ignore the hacking coughs and runny noses. And we went out in the snow.

Peter was adorable, giggling when he looked up and let the flakes land on his chubby cheeks.

Clark’s gears were turning in overdrive as he plotted how he could make the ground colder so the snow would stick. I convinced him that our imaginations were just as good as having real snow to shovel and make a snowman with.

Simon wanted a reindeer too and then set out on an expedition, with the aid of a flashlight, to find more snow.

 

It wasn’t long before we all felt wet and cold, but at least we made the most out of this “snow day.”

Snow Yay!

Waking up to snow, must be to kids what winning the lottery is to adults.

The world, with its many flaws, takes on a magical look, with a fresh coat of new fallen snow.

Kids don’t think about the back-breaking shoveling.

Or the burden of dressing in layer after layer.

When they see snow they see magic. Pure and simple.

They see snow angels, snow ball fights, snowmen, snow forts, and sledding.

They taste the cold crystals on their tongues, as they lick the crisp air.

They feel the fluffy powder and the firm pack of a solid snowball.

They hear the shrieks of joy and the rumble of the snowplow.

They smell the lure of hot chocolate calling them indoors.

And their first snow… absolutely fascinating.

If only that were all it took.

To make the world new again.

To cover up all of the grime and grit of everyday life.

One snow, and the everyone could get the chance to see the world through the fresh, new eyes of a child.