When you're a teacher, a snow day is a gift. When you know about the snow day before you go to bed, it's a heaven-sent gift! And when you wake up in the middle of the night and can't sleep (bad cold, not a gift!), grab your camera, and snap a few photos in the dark, that's just plain heavenly.
The first thing I noticed when I stepped outside, was the stillness. Heavy flakes of snow were still falling and hitting my camera lens, so I only took a few photos before deciding to put the camera in my pocket and just enjoy the moment.
It's amazing how many sounds there are in silence (Simon and Garfunkle, anyone?) when you take the time to listen. The first thing I heard was the sound of the birds nesting in the evergreens that dot our front lawn, a reminder that this is March and spring truly is on the way! The crack of a branch falling in the wooded area behind our house was a sudden reminder that I needed to be wary of where I stood. Heavy snow was taking its toll on the older branches in the trees and there are a few near our driveway that were precariously hoovering above my head. And in between the birds and the branches, I could hear a soft, delicate sound as the flakes settled on the bushes near where I was standing. So heavenly!
This morning, when I woke up around 7 AM, I grabbed my camera again to get a few shots before the increasing winds blow the snow off the branches of the trees and bushes. Without the flash, the early morning light cast a blue glow over the entire landscape. So pretty to see, although I'm not sure it is quite the same through a camera lens.
As I've said in a few previous posts, these months of winter are always tough on my spirit. I can't help but think that my gift of snowy solitude last night was a reminder from above that God is with me even when I feel most alone, that life is around me even when I feel most deadened and lifeless in spirit.
So today, I'm going to appreciate the beauty of this late winter "time out", thankful for these simple gifts, and mindful of just how fortunate I am to be alive to enjoy them. My wish for everyone today is that you, too, can find beauty wherever you are, whatever the weather, whatever the circumstances that surround you.
Although the weather has been up and down the past week, I've spotted a few welcoming signs that spring is finally on the way. Last Wednesday, I noticed the first two of my early spring iris blossoms smiling up at me...a wonderful, cheery sight to be sure! And today, several more little blossoms added more color to the garden. It won't be long before the tulips add their pop of red and yellow to the mix.
As I write about my little plant, I'm reminded of the legend surrounding St. Patrick of Ireland. According to tradition, he used the three leaves of the shamrock to teach his followers about the Trinity...God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So with this in mind, my little plant with its cheery green leaves is more than just another sign of spring. It is also a sign of our faith in God, our hope in His promise of salvation, and the love of His only Son who came to dwell among us over two thousand years ago.
