I'll back up by letting you know I was skeptical and thought people were crazy for getting excited about a 10% chance of snow. When you used to live in a place the would receive 6+ feet of snow, a 10% chance isn't enough to get me anxious. Ever since moving to Texas, it really has been a struggle for me to be really excited about Christmas. I do the decorations; I do the lights. I love the way it all looks, but there's always a big piece missing, and that's snow. I struggle to get 100% into the spirit without it.
Last night, I looked at my phone around 7, and it said there was now an 80% chance of snow at our house around 8 pm. But 8 o'clock came and went and there was no snow. I was a little disappointed especially when I saw the chances had dropped to 30%.
I longed for the snow and the feeling it gives when you have the ground covered in the powdery white amazingness while Christmas lights are on and tree are decorated. Rooftops covered in a blanket of white. Tree tops...It's all just so crisp and clean looking! I never could put into words the feeling snow brings me, but now, the word that comes to mind is "refreshing". The cold brings in refreshing air. The snow somehow seems to refresh my soul.
So when the snow first started, I have to admit, I'm pretty sure I was the most excited. I yelled for my kids to come outside, but they weren't very impressed because it wasn't sticking. Shortly thereafter, I went back out and BIG, THICK, powdery flakes were flying. Again, I yell for the boys. My oldest came running and I cannot explain to you the joy I felt in my heart when his mouth fell open and he just stood there in amazement. He then began running around, catching the flakes, and then eating them. Apparently, "Snow tastes good!" My youngest wasn't as interested. He just came out and went right back in.
This morning, though, I hear little feet and tons of excitement when the boys woke up and saw that the snow had continued to fall through the night and actually stuck. They immediately got bundled up and went to play in the snow. My heart couldn't be much happier, except when one of my dogs began running in it and trying to lap up the snow as he was running. Snow balls were made and thrown. Snow angels. Everything you have to experience when there is snow.
When I say my boys were upset when I told them to go get ready for school, that's an understatement. My oldest pleaded that the snow would be gone when they got home. Part of me really wanted to let them stay home and play in the snow until it melted away. I know this is an experience that they won't get to go through very many times in their childhood and my heart has often broken when I think of the fact that they have never ridden a sled in the snow. But we went to school. And when I came home to get ready for work, my heart sank a little when I saw all the footprints in the snow. Brayden is right. When they come home, the snow will be gone. There will be no more footprints, no more snow balls, no more snow piled up on the cars.
The snow of '17 will already be a memory for my boys. While I wish it would have lasted longer, I'm forever grateful that it is an experience they were able to go through even for a short while. I'm thankful that for a short time, nobody was worried about anything other than living in that one moment. I'm thankful that neighbors came out, smiles were shared, laughter was abundant, and time slowed down. Even if just for a minute.
THIS is Christmas.
