This winter has had a record number of snowfalls in many areas of the U.S. The number of snow days for school children has exceeded what seems reasonable to stay on track with academics. Even businesses and government offices have shut down, giving adults snow days too. While snow days are somewhat inconvenient because they mess with the routine, they also offer an impromptu opportunity to rest.
Sometimes a snow day is exactly what we need to slow down, stop running, and take stock. Here are a few observations I’ve made about snow days.
- Snow days bring snow. I know this is obvious, but snow is fun to play in and it decorates the scenery.
- Snow days change the routine. Being snowed in means hanging out at home, or wherever you are when it snows, until the roads have been cleared or the snow has melted. The pace of life is slower and the urgency of work or errands suddenly dissolves.
- Snow days invite rest. Whether we curl up by the fireplace with a good book or head outside to make a snowman, the snow provides an opportunity for mental, physical, and spiritual rest.
- Snow days create connections. We enjoy snow days as an impromptu family day. We play games together, watch movies, shovel the driveway, and cook together. We give thanks for our cozy home and the time to simply hang out.
- Snow days help us dream. At the moment, the people I know are dreaming of spring! Waiting for spring, like waiting for new seasons of life, is filled with hope and anticipation.
- Snow days encourage reflection. Perhaps it’s the white crispness of the snow or the way the sun shines on the crystal snowflakes that makes us think about life and the simple beauty around us.
- Snow days mean taking stock. The bare grocery store shelves are proof that people are taking stock of what they have and what they need when the snow starts falling.
- Snow days are a reminder of resources. Whether it means digging in the pantry for more ingredients for a meal or choosing a book from the shelf to revisit, being snowed in temporarily stops the cycle of getting more.
- Snow days create space. Our busy schedules don’t always leave a lot of time for rest, chores around the house, or spending time together. The snow offers a break in the schedule to do something else, something we might not get done otherwise.
- Snow days are a gift. The blanket of snow that covers the landscape enables us to enjoy the time, the serenity, and the break in our busy lives. It invites us to remember that something so beautiful can come in the barren season of winter.
Although the weather will be getting warmer soon, enjoy the snow days and the opportunities they bring.
Share your snow day stories! What is your favorite thing to do on a snow day? Leave a comment below.
