Let It Snow

The first snow of the season was forecast and I had mixed feelings. I love the way it looks when it’s coming down, I think it’s beautiful to see everything covered in fresh new snow and at the same time, I dislike dealing with huge quantities of the white stuff. There’s a fine line between exhilaration and discouragement while I push it around with a shovel or snow blower. The sky was gray when the dog and I set off on our morning walk. It reminded me of the first lines of that old poem: “The sun that brief December day, rose cheerless over hills of gray.” It was cold, the wind was biting, and for the first half mile or so, I had to remind Luna she couldn’t shake off the coat I had made her wear. We slogged along together, walking fast to warm up and feeling a little glum about the upcoming weather. Up the road I came to an intersection where there were five or six elementary school kids jumping around and waiting for the bus. One of them ran up to me, shouting with great excitement. “I’m so sorry,” I told him. “I can’t understand you through your mask.” He stepped back, pulled his mask down and with a huge grin told me, “We might get snow today!!!” I had forgotten the thrill of the season’s first snow, especially when you’re eight or nine years old. Sledding, ice skating, tubing, snow forts. The possibilities are endless. Thank you, bus kid whose-name-I-don’t-know. Thanks for the reminder of how wonderful winter can be. It’s all a matter of perception.

Image courtesy of Pixabay