Snow: Silence
No matter where you live, winter is generally epitomized by snow. For those of us lucky enough to experience snow, we know that it brings an eerie quiet. There is no pounding rain, no stinging pebbles of ice hitting the ground. Instead, it’s soft and quiet and makes the whole world seem to slow down to a hush.
If it’s good snow, the schools close and things get cancelled and the power doesn’t go out, and you can snuggle up at home (or go out sledding!). But there is nothing quite as magical as going outside when it’s snowing and listening to the quiet. Even without snow, you can pretend it’s a snowstorm and let the whole world stop around you and simply enjoy the moment. (I confess I am writing this during a snowstorm, and we spent the day cooking, sledding, and needlepointing. Eve taught Lucia how to needlepoint for the first time, and even though she’s sick with a cold, her last words as she fell to sleep were, “I want to needlepoint some more!” The weather will change, but she will always remember how to needlepoint.)
Snow is a reminder just to simply enjoy the peaceful quietude.
Dear Maria —
I always love your seasonal posts. Right now, in Chicago, we are also experiencing snow. I always feel snow is a blessing as it reminds me of purity, innocence and simplicity. Winter is a time of going inward for me and reminds me of “gifts” that truly last: the gifts of love, peace, patience, forgiveness, freedom — and wonder. Only the inner gifts are lasting. All the other gifts will become dirty, broken or vanish away like our winter snows. All it takes to give these gifts is an open heart and a peaceful presence. Watching the wonder of a snowfall is one way to begin to reflect on the inner wonders of our heart.
I baked chocolate chips cookies during the snowfall over the last 2 weeks. I love to see how the snow looks on the trees and tend to go for a walk when it snows, it is as you say, “eerily quiet.” Sometimes the only sound is your footfall on the snow. Walking through the woods on a snowy day is the ultimate in peacefulness. The air is fresh and refreshing, and brings back memories of my childhood and the time I lived in Canada. I watched the neighbor’s kids build a lovely snowman and dress it to the nines! I started a fire, and was cozy inside as I watched the neighbor’s kids build a snowman and dress it to the nines, then watched them sledding. It was a very comforting day spent and basking in one of nature’s beautiful moments. Nothing to complain about. One can’t beat the precious, peaceful moments of a snowy day.