Home Alone: Ice Crystals and Falling Snow
As you’ve heard on the news, South Carolina weather has been most unusual. Life time residents say they’ve never experienced anything like it. We had an ice storm, and were homebound for days. Ice melted and three days later, we braced for Round 2. This time snow. We looked, we waited, went to bed looking at dry pavement and awoke with a white carpet on driveways and streets.
I grew up in Western New York State and yes, “I walked a mile to school in a foot of snow.” Truth. But when you live in the south, a few flurries draw activity to a close. For two weeks, I’ve attended church on-line. Schools and offices are closed, activities have been cancelled and for good reason: the ice under the snow has made it perilous. There are valiant attempts to clear some roads or at least treat them. Patches of black ice appear out of nowhere. It makes sense to stay home.
For me, this has meant cozy days alone. I’ve read, worked on writing projects, and purged a filing cabinet. One friend called and told me she has read two books and hopes the snow will melt by the time she finishes her third. Many have cleaned out and rearranged cupboards, discovering that spices they purchased for a specific recipe and hadn’t used in years, needed to find their way to the trashcan.
Concerned friends texted to check in on me. A neighbor reassured me she was just a call away. A friend, a widow for several years, texted that she’s making cinnamon rolls. “I’m in my happy place.” I imagined a beautiful aroma of cinnamon rolls wafting in her home, a snowfall visible through her windows, and a fire in the fireplace. What’s not to love? It’s in those moments that we see splashes of God‘s goodness to us.
Social media posted snow stories—people bundled and playing in the snow and building works of art. When I heard sounds coming from outdoors, I went to the window and watched my neighbor children sledding down my street. I opened the door to tell their Mom that they gave me smiles. She told me she was freezing, but was glad her kids were having fun.
Even though we may be past the days of bundling children to go play in the snow, making a pot of soup for our whole family to enjoy together at dinner, or playing a marathon Monopoly game, we can know God’s goodness.
He gives us the beauty of His creation in ice crystals and falling snow, and it's a gift to be alive to see it; the pleasure of a good book; a safe place at home; and completion of a project. And when we pause, the security and delight of His… Share on XWhat about you? Do you have a snowbound story? Want to share any splashes of goodness?
The Conversation
Lovely post. Sounds like you made the best of your days inside. We’ve had a few of those herein Georgia. Isn’t it wonderful that we can know God’s goodness no matter where we are or what we are doing?
It’s very much the same here. We received another dusting of snow this mornng (on top of the ice and snow we received from the two previous storms). It’s been lovely, and like you, I’ve gotten some things done here at home. I recalled winter weather of my childhood and sledding with my children. The figid temperatures were rough when outdoor chores needed to be completed. The only thing better would have been if my grandchildren had been here for sledding. Enjoyed your message and wish I had some of those cinnamon rolls!
We did not have it as bad as you guys but the extreme cold kept us look in for days. I enjoyed working on crafts. Thanks for the great memories
Marilyn, I enjoyed the beautiful writing in your post. You described winter as a wonderful time of year, full of comforts, like hot soup, and blessings. I want to look at every day like this–full of wonder, comfort, and joy. Every day God makes is amazing. Thank you.