Snow and Beauty

I am sitting in my living room this morning and we are snowed in. That's right, actual snow and it is beautiful. Sure it presents challenges for us and in the northern part of the country, I have little doubt that the people are always ready for spring. Yet for those of us who get to see snow so rarely, it is nice to experience its majesty, grandeur, and glory. Snow has the power to transform and lift the spirits by blanketing the earth, by hiding the dead leaves, by smiling with superiority over the ground. Snow captivates the heart which responds in kind. The heart and the mind become mesmerized by the sheer delicacy of millions of tiny flakes each uniquely designed that work together to form a gigantic covering that glosses the earth with beauty.

Snow could have been blue or red or perhaps even green such as Seuss' Oobleck that was created in the famous children's story; but, no, snow is white and pure demonstrating gentleness and naivety found in newborns. Some flakes are large and almost aggressive while others seem to take on a smaller role as they float down to fulfill their purpose. Their lives are relatively short and they are completely dependent upon temperature for their existence. They arrive with the knowledge that their lives are brief but valued, laconic but memorable, fleeting yet unforgotten. Each flake serves the whole and the millions of tiny crystals give us a moment that lasts a lifetime.

One cannot help but be moved by the sight of snow as it falls, and as it slowly but surely envelopes the world in elegance. Snow is alluring and flirtatious as it bats its eyelids and seeks out friends by smiling a sly grin, winking an attractive eye, and begging for more attention. Its very character and sublime appearance is enchanting and magical and we enter the kingdom with awe, excitement, and inspiration. John Muir said, "Nature chose for a tool, not the earthquake or lightning to rend and split asunder, not the stormy torrent or eroding rain, but the tender snow--flowers noiselessly falling through unnumbered centuries."

Snowball fights, snowmen, snow angels, and every other imaginable game occurred all around the region as children (and adults) immersed themselves in the newness that surrounded them. Cold and wet and maybe even misery abounded but was set aside in favor of the opportunity to experience the rarity called snow. If we had snow every day of the year, it would be passe', dull, even normal. But for those of us here where we live, we found adventure in the beauty and joy in the pulchritude. We thank God for the snow and for the "snow moment." It has been a pleasure!