Snow

School was cancelled.  As a boy, anytime school was cancelled, it turned out to be a great day, a day filled with unexpected adventure.  Little boys live for such days.  I had gone to bed the night before dreading another day of school filled with routine, but woke to a surprise – snow and lots of it.  What adventures lay ahead for my brother and I – snowball fights, snow forts, cold feet, red noses, hot chocolate.  I jumped out of bed.  My first duty was to irritate my little brother.  Tussling down the hall, we made our way to the living room for the big reveal.  I glanced outside, and time stood still.  I stepped closer to the window as the scene drew me in.  I beheld the beauty that lay before me. 

The wind blew hard that morning. It’s the kind of wind you can feel through the window. Big fluffy flakes fell all day.  Everywhere I looked, banks of fresh white glistening snow.  The sky was filled with ominous clouds delivering their clear resolve.  It suddenly hit me – it’s blustery, dangerous, even wild, yet beautiful.  A sense of awe stirred my heart.  God is powerful.  This scene pointed to something bigger than itself.  It reflected the beauty of God.  As a boy, I did not think in these categories, or even use this language, but the Lord taught me something vital that morning.  My heart awakened to beauty.  I did not understand the significance of this until years later, but the Lord had gotten my attention.  That storm resulted in an entire week off of school and much unplanned adventure.

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"

Comments

[Kevin]

Great writing Rich! Made me thirsty for a snowy day!