Jim

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Cranky Swamp Yankee

Life & Events > Love and Snowstorms
 

Love and Snowstorms

What is it about a snowstorm that makes me feel all warm and secure and childlike? 
I woke up this Sunday morning, looked out the bedroom window at sunrise, and saw a blanket of snow in the pastures.  I could feel an unexplainable thrill rise up in my chest as I gazed out at the whiteness, and suddenly I felt all close and cozy and comfortable.  It's like the snow hushes the outside sounds, and brings the exterior world to a awe-inspired standstill for a few moments.
I remembered a time when I was a child in my grandmother's bed.  I must have spent the night at her house, and, in the morning, I awoke to brilliant, golden, almost liquid sunshine streaming in through the warm, curtained windows after an all-night snowstorm.  I remember hearing the somehow reassuring sound of a snowplow going past the house. I also remember feeling warm and safe and loved with my head on a huge, head-comforming feather pillow and my body snuggled under stacks of heavy, secure quilts. I remember Grammie Jo sitting on the bed and singing, "Barnacle Bill The Sailor" to me in an attempt to wake me up.
It is an isolated memory. I don't know what came before it or after it in the sequence of time and events. But the "What" and the "Why" of the event are unimportant.  The feelings that the memory awaken in me is all that matters.  And those feelings are love, love, love, safety, security, acceptance and...love. (Feelings that I didn't often feel as a child with my mother.)
So, every morning that I awaken and find a fresh coating of snow on the ground, I go to this oasis of joy from my past, and it makes me feel like living. 
After looking out at the snow, I crawled back into bed under the heavy comforter. I put my arms around Mary Ellen, and I laid there for another hour, just feeling the warmth and peace and happiness of being alive.

posted on Dec 7, 2008 1:04 PM ()

Comments:

I've only awakened warm and secure and childlike in a snowstorm once in my life. I was visiting my grandma in Colorado, where she was a short time. I was really young and barely remember it. But it was nice. My aunt ruined it by going outside and building a baby snowman, and no one would allow me to go outside to make one, too. Well, there went my security.
comment by sunlight on Dec 11, 2008 8:31 PM ()
Your "odes to joy" are nice alternatives to the many "woe is me" posts I read. to the good life.
comment by solitaire on Dec 9, 2008 7:33 AM ()
Sounds like heaven to me.
comment by nittineedles on Dec 8, 2008 2:19 PM ()
ah, to be happy...
comment by kristilyn3 on Dec 8, 2008 6:37 AM ()
I have never had the pleasure of seeing snow.You make me feel like I must see it and all it's beauty.Laurie
comment by dogsalot on Dec 7, 2008 6:44 PM ()
I think we all have a few of those isolated memories which bring love, warmth, and comfort to us. Sometimes when we are shoveling snow, trying to start the car on a cold freezing morning, or feeding cattle in blowing stinging snow, we need to remember its beauty and quietness and take time to snuggle under the covers.
comment by anniel on Dec 7, 2008 3:37 PM ()
That is such a beautiful memory. In regards to feelings of love and security, it really sounds like your grandmother stepped up where your mother fell short.
comment by mellowdee on Dec 7, 2008 1:47 PM ()
And here you were already to die two days ago--now do you understand why you are not allowed to?!??!
comment by greatmartin on Dec 7, 2008 1:35 PM ()
A cool morning at the camp ground can do that for me, but I have to admit that snow doesn't cut it any longer. I had a great day outside yesterday even tho the temp never got close to 30. The ground was frozen solid, but there was no messy snow, and I liked it just fine that way. There's lake effect snow falling now, and it'd be fine with me if it stopped now and didn't start again all winter. But I do understand how you feel, and it's good to hear that you're enjoying it!
comment by jjoohhnn on Dec 7, 2008 1:31 PM ()

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