Earlier this year, I waxed poetic about the coming of summer and warm weather.
In our present day, we’re nearing a similar sensation — the onset of winter, cold weather, and snow.
I can remember 18 years ago, as a senior in college, the first snowfall of the season.
There was a buzz and an excitement in the air.
My fellow schoolmates and I, gathered outside the technology lab before our next class, had noticeable smiles on our faces.
It was a change of scenery. It was thoughts of snowball fights. It was cravings for hot cocoa. It was a fun time of the year.
Even at age 22, it was OK to feel like a kid yet.
Let’s fast forward to one year later.
I’m out of college. I’m living on my own in an apartment. I’m working. I’m driving to work. I’m paying bills. I’m not a kid anymore.
Down comes the first snowfall of the year. I am not happy. I have to drive around in this stuff in my fine 13-year-old automobile. I have to pay the bills to heat my drafty home. This time of the year isn’t so fun anymore.
What a difference a year makes.
Handling what’s in front of us
Since so many people love this time of the year, I’m reluctant to admit that my fondness of winter or winter-like conditions (yes, I know real winter starts in December, shush) hasn’t improved all that much over the past decade-plus.
I cringe when I see the first snow on the ground, much as I did over Thanksgiving weekend, not expecting more than a few flurries.
As the saying goes, “I had to shovel all of the flurries off of my car this morning”.
My winter jacket is in full use and my hat and gloves are on standby and rarely worn as my wife has assumed the role of hat and gloves reminder person, a role originally held by my parents.
But, unless I have any plans to work at the Hawaii Catholic Herald (which is real), here I stay and here I deal with it.
While I “ugh” my way through this weather time of the year, I need to remind myself that this season is a gift.
It’s one I feel that I could go without from time to time, but it’s a gift nonetheless.
There is beauty in snow. Rain doesn’t look as beautiful on trees. That’s fine. The snow can be on the trees and not the ground.
OK, it doesn’t look too bad on the ground. As long as it stays there, stays off the road, and really just falls in time to be there for Christmas. It can melt and go away on December 26.
I know I’m not going to win many fans with these thoughts so I’ll quit while I’m behind.
I also know that my much-appreciated warmer weather isn’t much-appreciated by a lot of people. Some people don’t like or physically can’t handle the heat. We all have our burdens.
While some of this early white precipitation might disappear soon before wave two hits us, I still have to accept that I am where I am — both in time and location. It’s just that time for this stuff.
It will go away eventually and the hopes of spring and summer will be upon us again.
Embracing the blessing
If I want to get in touch with my quasi-philosophical self, I can try to impress upon myself that God must be allowing this season for a reason.
Something good has to come out of the risk of cars sliding into each other, potential frostbite, and high fuel usage for heat.
Perhaps it’s memories — for kids and parents — of sledding down a hill, hitting a bump that’s only a few inches high, and feeling like Evel Knievel.
Maybe it’s feeling super-powered going onto a frozen body of water for ice fishing, ice skating, or some other purpose knowing it’s the only time of the year you can do this unless you have faith enough to walk on water.
Maybe it’s witnessing the goodness in others when someone suffers a car calamity on the semi-safe roads and others come together to help.
Maybe it’s learning to make do with what you have when the weather doesn’t allow you to just hop to the store and get this or that with ease or just appreciating staying in on a night when you normally would have gone out.
Maybe it’s additionally appreciating having a warm home, plenty to wear, and lots to eat when being outside in zero degrees for less than 15 seconds feels like pure torture. Be thankful it’ll be better for you very shortly.
I’ll be OK and so will you
As more snow and cold come, I’ll still question why I still live here and not in the land of bad Elvis movies, Don Ho, and “Book Em, Danno!”.
I’ll still wish for April and after to get here.
I’ll also try not to push the time too fast and too far away.
After all, the Almighty wants me in this place and at this time. It would be a shame if I wasted what I was given.
Thank you for reading.
I’m praying for you.