Snowy Reflections

It snowed today. There wasn’t any accumulation, not even in the grass, but if you weren’t paying attention, you would have missed it. Too bad. I would have loved a snowy day.

I live in the Midwest and right now winter is making its grand entrance. Contrary to all logical thinking, I love winter - the cold crisp days and nights, ice glistening in the sunlight, the snow, all of it. I know it seems strange and my friends have no problem calling me weird, but I don’t really care. Maybe because I tend to take pleasure in simple things. To me winter is a wonderful season.

When I was a little girl we lived at the end of a dead end street. There were very few cars that traveled down our street and we rarely – if ever – had the snow and ice cleared away. While this made for hazardous driving conditions, it was perfect for sledding and ice skating.

Winter is also one of my favorite seasons because of the holidays. Even though Thanksgiving is technically in the fall, it’s usually cold enough that it feels like winter.

If you take out the commercialism of Thanksgiving and Christmas, those two holidays tend to bring out the best in people. It’s funny how people are a little more benevolent and kind around the holidays. And just for a little while on these two holidays my world becomes a little more intimate and a little less polluted by the typical everyday noises.

If you can’t tell, this is the time of year I become reflective (at least one of the times!) and I can’t help but marvel at the job my parents and grandparents did at instilling in us the value of giving, spending time with family, and appreciating what we have. They also showed us that love conquers a multitudes of sins and allows us to not “sweat the small stuff” but to focus on what’s important.

For me what’s important is my family, good health, personal security, and being spiritually connected (to name a few). And in this crazy world I’m also thankful for those who speak out against evil, people who see character without being distracted by color, creativity and the freedom to express this gift, and love without conditions.

So in the spirit of being benevolent, no matter if you observe the holidays or not, I wish you love that’s reciprocal, peace that surpasses all understanding, and immeasurable grace – and the occasional snowy day.

The picture is from “A Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats (one of my favorite books).