giddy
The fall of the year’s first snow makes me giddy. It is the giddy I felt as a child when we
received the treat of a light dusting no more than a few times each winter. Now I have 30 toes who are giddy too, and
they pull me outside at 8:00 am on Sunday like they are greeting Christmas
morning.
I grew up in a river valley in the Pacific Northwest. Each winter the mountains surrounding us
would become white with snow and we would often comment on the icy chill in the
air that accompanied it. It was a treat,
however, when the snow fell over us; a few inches of magic each year. Now I live in a place where snowy winters are
common, and snow is the one part of this harsh season that I have not yet grow
weary of.
I relish this magic that taps my youthful excitement, magic that
wells up and makes me feel pure…pure excitement, pure stillness, pure hope. This morning my purity is met by purity; 30
toes piling onto my bed, giddy over snow, magic on top of magic and my heart
swells with the embodiment of what I once was and the beauty of being in the
midst of it again.
I cannot resist! PJ's
still on, we don rain boots (as the snow boots are not yet unpacked, this is
after all a very early snow) and flee into the wonderland. A wonderland with grass still peeking through,
bits of fluffy magic floating through the air, with giggles and excitement in
pursuit. There is running and rolling
and the discovery of a partially snow covered sand box, what a novelty! And then tears follow, hands are cold after
mittens are pulled off and snow angels are made by a boy who throws himself
down in a fit of frustration over a sandy, snowy bulldozer that MUST be brought
into the house. It is time to retreat,
time to return inside and warm, time for me to think quickly, of a reason that
will convince them to follow suit; promising hot chocolate (not our usual
breakfast drink) and conceding to the bringing of the bulldozer does the
trick. This morning I want the magic to
linger, concessions are okay.
Once our coats, hats and boots are off and inevitably strewn
about the floor we proceed to the bulldozer wash (aka the shower). Snow melts and sand washes away under a
stream of water and all excitement is fresh again. We turn it and roll it over to make sure all
sides are clean and rinsed and the previously frustrated boy is now content to
let it sit and drip and join the breakfast table.
The magic does linger, and the snow continues to fall
outside, it blankets the ground around our walls and the roof above us. Real life rolls on within these protective
walls, voices increase, cereal hits the floor, crayons are scattered. But I feel a renewed glimmer, I feel
giddy.
With gratitude,
Joanna
I love this! You've captured the purity of the season but also the purity and innocence and wonder of childhood... one that you are fostering for your wonderful brood of "30 toes" and for yourself! My favorite line: "y heart swells with the embodiment of what I once was and the beauty of being in the midst of it again." Perfect.
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