I love snow days. I always have. Born in southern California, I saw snow a handful of times during the first nine years of my life.
If we drove far enough to the mountains, we found little patches of icy snow, crusted with dirty flecks on top, in shaded places where the sun didn’t reach. I would run to the snow. It seemed a delight without measure.
One time, a classmate’s father brought a snow machine to our kindergarten. I lived by LA where all things are possible with some help from the movie making industry. He turned on the machine and it made a pile for us on the patch of grass by our classroom. We took turns running through it in our shorts, sandals and halter tops. Take it from my personal experience, snow is even better if you wear summer clothes and scream while you run through it. It makes it more intense.
The first winter we moved to Chicagoland was the same winter they printed t-shirts proclaiming, “I survived the blizzard of ’78.” I was in elementary school. I could not believe the wealth of snow. My father took the snow blower and made a mountain of snow, taller than I was. We carved out a snow dragon and decorated him with icicles. I was hooked.
Fast forward to the future and I was grown up, married and living in California. After my son was born, I wanted to move so he could grow up with four seasons. I wanted us to live with the heat of summer, the color of fall, the snow of winter and the blessed return of spring. Spring means something when you feel like you’ve earned it after surviving winter.
Surrender to the snow. See it as a wealth of nature, painting the landscape with globs and dabs of titanium white. For a thrill, try putting on your shorts and running through it as you scream. I won’t judge you (although your neighbors might).
Give yourself permission to have unlimited hot drinks while watching from the window as the snow collects and swirls. Take a nap. Call a friend. Make flan. Say a prayer for the emergency workers and road crews out working.
Feel the goodness of rest thanks to the white and fluffy stuff.
Blessing
Lord, thank you for the many ways you decorate our world:
in the sepia tones of winter before the two-tone blizzard palette.
Thank you for shelter.
Tell me your thoughts!
How do you like to spend your snow days?
Light to grow in; reflections by Genevieve Howard 
I thought that you craved the seasons because you’d been born in the Midwest–I didn’t realize you spent your early years in SoCal. It makes your dedication to experiencing the rhythm of four seasons even more intriguing. It must be your artists’ nature. Loved the story of the scientist who brought snow to your kindergarten.
What a wonderful comment! Thank you. Your insight makes me think. Maybe it’s like how a traveler can appreciate things a native might take for granted. The snow makes me feel content. If it was just cold, I would not enjoy winter as much!
You are where you are meant to be. I am a Cali girl who would like to be able to go to the beach 365 days a year. I struggle with the cold in Alabama. Beautifully written.
There is much to be said about being in the place you feel supports your spirit! Stay warm and think beach!
I love this entire response. Be in the place that supports your spirit – physically and emotionally. Your thoughts do make me happy. I also greatly enjoy the snow, and I do love just watching it from inside with a warm cup of coffee, a fantastic book and a snuggly blanket. I’d take a fire, too, but I don’t have a fireplace.
Thank you! I so enjoy your comments. I agree about the fireplace–wish I had one too!
Thanks for the wonderful reminder! you put it all in such a beautiful way. Will keep and read each snowed in day!!!!
Lovely post! Today I’ve been drinking hot apple cider, eating cinnamon toast, and reading blogs and Kindle stories. Definitely feeling thankful for a quiet day of rest and a warm comfortable house!