Why I Love Snow: Confessions of a snow-lover
Not complaining or bragging, but I am a very busy person, like many of you. I like to accomplish things, lots of things. Some say that I am “over involved”, and that may be true. My life’s work is primarily sedentary. In other words, I often sit and a desk or sit in a car. Although I try to exercise often, my busyness often prevents me from it.
I enjoy snow. I like to play in it. I like tubing and sledding. I like to walk my dog in it. I like to spend time with my grandchildren outside in the snow. Hey, I will play in the snow with anyone with the energy to go out. I don’t like cold, so I bundle up A LOT!!
Most of the time, when it snows, I have work to do. Snow doesn’t prevent me from working on the computer, making phone calls, caring for people, doing administrative work or preparing sermons or Bible studies. I don’t often get to STOP and enjoy the snow anymore.
Some say that I think too much. Well, recently, I have thought a lot about why I like snow. There are at least two reasons that I desire snow, often and in large amounts. The first is snow shoveling. It is not that I love to shovel as much as I appreciate the benefits that come from it: exercise, solitude, dog-time. When it snows, I don’t have a choice, so I can’t feel guilty for doing it. It takes about an hour to clear my driveway. Because of my schedule, it is important to clear the driveway in case I need to go out for ministry or emergency reasons. I can count on shoveling to give me an hour or more of solitude, working my muscles and relaxing my mind while I listen to music. I like to shovel for the challenge of it. At 56 years old, I realize that there is coming a time when I won’t be able to physically do as much as I do now. I also like the results – both cardio and strength exercise. I get to work out – I have to work out. And I enjoy it. My dog is ALWAYS outside with me when I shovel. She brings the stick to the fence for me to throw for her every time I pass by her. Good times with the dog.
The second reason that I enjoy snow doesn’t occur every time it snows. In fact, it seldom occurs. In order for me to truly enjoy snow, it has to be timed correctly and it has to be significant volume over a period of time. A heavy snow fall is a reason (some say an excuse) to stop, to just stop everything, to stay home, to not work, to sleep in, to read and sip tea, to spend time with family. I would not always want to sleep in and “lay around” but once or twice a winter for a day or two is nice.
I LOVE SNOW! I hope
that I always will. For those of you
that don’t, that’s okay – snow around here is always temporary.
-Ken Claflin
