Well it looks as though the snow may be on the way in time for Christmas. Snow can be magical covering the landscape with such purity and after all of the shovelling, can be a wonderful time to savour the moment with a tea in front of an inviting fire to warm up and reflect upon the year we are leaving behind while thinking of the year to come.
Snow has a sound-proofing benefit with everything appearing softer in tone. Snow seems to freshen and brighten everything it touches.
To a child, thinking back to when our kids were little and now enjoying the same with grandchildren, snow is a wonder offering so many exciting things to experiment with, build upon, in or under it – the creative possibilities are endless. I used to keep a big basket of mismatched mittens and gloves just inside the door for those inventors rushing in to drop their soaking wet ones to exchange for a new pair, globs of mini snowballs hanging from their hair or toques, cheeks rosy red with cold. Off they would rush to their friends or siblings to finish that snow person, “huge mountain” to slide down again and again, or the strange lopsided igloo that had become a challenging yet astonishingly captivating structure.
Oh yes, and the experimenting that takes place in the cold, snowy wintry air like tossing the hot water high above to watch it freeze in mid-air, making maple syrup candy on the cleanest spot you can find as it sets to chewy perfection, and tracking elusive creatures that sometimes turn out to be your own family dog just waiting to be found.
Trekking through that crunchy snow that squeaks beneath your boots, flopping steadily along in rhythmic unison together in snowshoes or swooshing, gliding side by side on a cross country ski adventure.
Watching snow days through the eyes of children has to be the most inspiring of all with the wonderment, surprise, and unleashed joy displayed so spontaneously as they explore tirelessly until they at last succumb and rush home to warm up, fill their bellies and sink into their beds after a nice warming bubbly bath. Still mumbling about what they will do in the snow tomorrow while visions of snow castles, snowballs and snowflakes dance in their heads.
Thinking back, life just couldn’t be any better than a snow day in winter right here in Canada for a child, a youth or even a Gramma like me! Enjoy the snowy inspiration and take a minute to stop for a moment when you can, just to watch the children play. Even the thought of such joy has just got to make you smile.
