Minnesota Snow

Well, what we have been anticipating since our arrival has finally alighted: Minnesota winter. And with winter has come the snow. Growing up in New Jersey, I loved snow, because to me, it meant no school, which of course freed me up to see the beauty in it. I loved how the snow silenced everything, carried your whisper across the yard, and blanketed everything in white. It was so serene. I knew that the fact that I had never had to drive in it, though, was probably a luxury that preserved my love for it and was the difference between my opinion of snowstorms and that of adults. I only had my license for one winter before I moved to California for college, and I don't think my parents let me drive in the snow.

I went to Ladies Bible study this morning with the kids. Afterwards, as we left the church, snow was falling fast and was covering the ground. What wasn't obvious was that it was sleeting at the same time. So not only was snow all over the roads, piling up faster than they were continuously plowing it, but ice was mixing in with it. So far, all four of the people I talked to today slid out of control, either doing a 360 or driving off the side of the road. Needless to say, I did not enjoy one of my first experiences driving in the snow. I am so thankful that the Lord really took care of all of us.

Knowing how dangerous it was to drive outside, today I am feeling the way I did right after Andrew finished cancer treatments. I feel so sensitive to how blessed we are to have our two children and for Andrew and I to be together, all of us are healthy, and still alive. It feels like a celebration just to be together and I just wanted to sit and read books to the kids, hold them, and keep telling them I love them. I always want them to know that. If there is one thing they remember from this early time of their lives, I hope it is that I love them with all my heart.

Just now, A.J. ran up to me screaming, "Hugs! Lot of hugs!" They have just returned with Papa after playing in the snow, filling A.J.'s dump truck with it. They love it. So, as long as I can avoid driving in it, I think we as a family can continue to say that we love it and it's beautiful.