The first real snow

 It is the first real snow of the season. Oh, flakes had fallen, I had seen them in the yellow glow of street lamps and I could feel their bright sting on my cheeks, but they had not gathered in numbers large enough for a 'blanket'... or knee high boots. (I wore my boots anyway. They are just too cute to leave in the closet.) 

Near the end of the last half of the late football game last night, we left our friend's house amid twirling snow-beads that created a white skiff on the roads and sidewalks. This morning, light struggled through the thick layers of clouds and dawn arrived softly illuminating the first real snow of the year. Perfect little blankets lying over cars and on rooflines, little pillows in the crooks of trees, and sprinklings all over the plastic greenery the city uses to decorate downtown for the holidays are proof. Winter is here. So is the snow. Real snow, the kind I truly have to get my boots out for.

For me, snow is one of natures greatest gifts. When I'm walking through the woods and I am blessed enough to bear witness to a little cascade of it falling from a high branch it flutters my heart just like the sight of an old lover I've run into on the streets of a strange city. There is something so pure and cleansing about snow. It magically transforms from water to beautiful, multi-faceted ice crystals that fall delicately from the heavens. It covers every wound and gouge of the earth and it seems as though we are given a fresh start. A new beginning. Like brand new crisp, white sheets on our beds. It drives us indoors, and inside ourselves, where we re-discover all the things we had forgotten over the Spring and Summer. We bake bread (or at least want to), we spend time with our families and we decorate. We turn our attention to giving - thanks, and gifts - and we sneak around wrapping presents and harboring happy imaginings of our loved-ones faces when they open them.

We break out chunky sweaters and warm scarves and re-discover our winter style. We wear mittens, and coffee tastes so much better. With every stinging breath it reminds us how warm we are inside, and how vibrantly alive.

I absolutely love the snow. Today, I am thankful. My heart is warm, I am full of joyful thoughts and I am deeply grateful that I live in a place where I can wear a scarf and boots... in the snow.