Snow

Snow

 

       I have always loved snow.  There is something so pure and good about it.  Some think that it symbolizes the dull, dreariness of winter, but I think it symbolizes a purging and cleansing to prepare the world for the new beginning of spring. It is like God is cleaning the slate to make a new beginning.  I do not think of the old that is erased, but the new that is coming. The layers of new fallen snow remind me of heavenly beauty and an upcoming fresh start.  Nothing is more pure than fresh clean falling snow. Nothing is more relaxing to observe. Snow represents lots of wonderful things to me.

       I can think of nothing more fun that playing in snow, building a fort or snowman, sledding, tubing, skiing, or making a snow angel. I remember ice skating outside and warming up by a fire.  I remember making snowmen and snow angels. I remember laughing and laughing and laughing.  Snow makes me think of fun and laughter.

      Bundling up for an adventure in the snow is fun, too.  You put on all your layers of clothing, your hat, mitten, boots and scarf and outside you go.  You are so warm that nothing could make you cold you think.  The contrast on your cheeks of the cold, wet snow is scintillating.  As you move through the snow you get hotter, until you start getting wet.  Then, the chill can hit you. Snow is full of dramatic contrasts.

     

       I have been caught in snowstorms on my way to and from the small town forty miles from home where I taught for my first nine years of teaching.  I was not a very experienced driver in my 20’s and had many times that I was stuck in a ditch on those country roads.  I experienced the kindness of friends and strangers many times.  Students’ and teachers’ families offered to put me up for the night because of the snow.  Snow brings out the best in people.

    

       As a young teacher, when we had snow day from school, my teacher friends and I would go skiing.  It was just the best time. We took a day that could have been dull and boring and turned it into the most wonderful of adventures.  Snow represents adventure!

       When I had a child, it was really important to me that my son loved snow, so I would bundle him up when he was very small and take him out to play in it even if he did not act like he wanted to go.  It was always a lot of fun for both of us.( Sometimes I could even drag my husband along.) I took him ice skating, tubing, and sled riding many times.  My sister enjoyed this too, so she was always game! When my son was five, my sister and I took him skiing, so that winter would be fun for him; and to this day, it is!!! Snow had a way of binding us together. Snow is relationship building, too!

       There was a day in February, twenty-six years ago.  What a beautiful sunny day it was!  It was a day full of hopes and dreams!  After church, my fiancé and I stopped by to see my elderly great aunt and when we left her apartment, we were immersed in the most beautiful fresh falling snow. It was a totally unexpected snow!  It was not a cold day, but the falling snow was thick and luscious.  The flakes were big, sparkling and precious.  I can still remember the feeling of exuberance and joy that I felt when I saw the snow on that particular day.  I remember my little white satin shoes stepping in the snow and the warmth of my fiancé’s hand. On this day, snow represented love and joy.  It was our wedding day and God gave us the gift of pure, good, lovely, fresh fallen snow to start our lives together.