After the Storm

How much snow did you get yesterday?

As adults, we see every inch for the work it'll take to clear off of our sidewalks, driveways, and roads. We know that slippery roads lead to slow commutes and accidents. We think of all the lost productivity from co-workers who run late or need to leave early to pick up kids when the schools close. We see each falling degree of temperature as another dollar to spend on heating.

But that's just one perspective. Think of how you viewed snowstorms as a child, or if you have young children, how they view it. Inches of snow didn't mean backbreaking shoveling, but new material with which to build a snowman or snow fort. A fresh blanket of white powder was a new canvas for outdoor games. Wet snow wasn't "heart-attack" snow that meant you dreaded shoveling, but perfect for making snowballs.

All of this is not to say that snowstorms are always wonderful things. Traffic is terrible, shoveling is tiring, and we still need to get to work or school. However, sometimes we can stop and look at things from a different angle. This new perspective can help us appreciate the gifts we've been given, even in times of difficulty.

Take a moment to enjoy the little joys of a snowstorm. Go for a winter walk with your loved ones, who will keep you warmer just by their conversation. Watch your dog run through the backyard, eating the fresh snow. Make a snow angel. Toss around a couple of snowballs. Let yourself enjoy these moments.

My personal favorite experience is at night, after the storm has left, when the air is still and the stars twinkle in the clear, dark sky. The snow, fresh and unwrinkled, glistens in the moonlight. The thick powder seems to muffle the rest of the world, and all is silent.

Soon, I'll need to go inside. To warm up, make dinner, and start hanging the ornaments on the Christmas tree. But for just a moment, I take it all in and appreciate the moment.