It’s been five days since the snow hit the south, and somehow, it’s just not the same wonder that I recalled as a child.
Closing my eyes, I remember my childhood snow days.
Days filled with delight. Days that kept me wanting more. Days filled with anticipation.
Wisconsin snow created drifts so high that we built ice “houses” in the center and used its walls to barricade the boys while we snuck around to pelt them with our tightly packed snowballs. I remember the exhilaration of soaring down the icy hill on my wooden toboggan. I didn’t even notice the wind burn that graced my cheeks. I remember relaxing by the cozy fire to thaw out from the chill. Warming my hands with my hot chocolate dolloped with real whip cream, my mother seemed to instinctively know what we wanted most.
There’s so much I remember about those snow days. Yet somehow as an adult, today’s snow days do not seem to create the same wonder I recall as a child.
Why is that? Where has my delight gone? When did it leave me?
I don’t want the inconvenience. I don’t want the hassle. I don’t want the mess. I don’t want the extra laundry.
And then I’m reminded of Jesus’ words in Mark 10:14-16.
14…‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
With this week’s snow, I’m reminded that I’ve lost my winter wonder delight, and I want it back.
Have I lost that wonder and delight in other areas as well?
Fortunately, this snow falls in January. A time of new beginnings.
Maybe by the next snow, I’ll be snowboarding down our hill with my sons. For now, I just let them create real snow cone slushies, making sure they avoided the three dogs’ play area.
Baby steps, my friends. 🙂
Leave a Comment
Mandy says
What a wonder reminder to have fun … thank you … we get so caught up with life, that we forget to have fun!!
Michelle Colasante says
Beautiful words, Jennifer. I guarantee you though, one ride down a hill on a sled and you’ll get that sense of wonder and delight back. Put the laundry aside today, grab one, and get out there. You’ll become 12 again.
Enjoy your day!
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
Oh Michelle – you are so right! But here in NC, the snow already melted. It was 16 degrees on day and 49 later in the week. We’re supposed to get some again and then I will be there. 🙂
Deb Martell says
Your words reminded me exactly of my Wisconsin snow days as a child. I have the joy of having a sledding hill in my back yard and even though my kids rarely use it (their college and high school age now), I always invite all of the neighborhood children to. My boys will be home for a weekend – and some girlfriends who we adore – at the end of Jan. and I think it’s time for all of us to get back out there!!! Joy!!
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
Yea, Deb – a fellow WI girl. We’re in the South now, but you can never take that Packer girl away. Cant’ wait for the big game this weekend. 🙂
Living the Balanced Life says
Jennifer,
We can have a tendency to get so uptight as we get older! I want to make sure I don’t lose that sense of wonder, that I enjoy the beautiful gifts God brings!
I love to watch my younger grandchildren enjoying and discovering things for the first time! I was too busy to enjoy that so much when MY kids were little, but with grandkids, it’s perfect!
Bernice
Assess your life for stress
Beth Williams says
I have an penchant towards “acting my age” & always being serious. Your words reminded me to get back my sense of wonder, awe & fun. We all need to get out there and “have a little childish fun” to get back our awe & sense of delight.
I wonder, too, though have we lost our sense of awe, & wonder at other things, too? Take Christmas with all its hustle & bustle, parties and such. Have we forgotten what it’s about and the sheer wow we should be feeling?
Ida Mundell says
Thank you for this reminder! I read this before my girls woke up and it has made me more intentional about seeing things through their eyes today!
Heather Gemmen Wilson says
Ok. It worked. As soon as my kids get home from school, I’m going sledding with them. Thanks for the motivation!
deidra says
Girlfriend, I hear you! I’m not usually a snow person. And after last year’s 44 inches I thought one more flake might just send me over the edge. But yesterday I was walking through the snowfall and found myself all giddy inside. I don’t know where that came from, but I’m going to have to give credit to God.
And maybe a bit of credit to the new tires on my car that make me feel dangerously safe.
: )
Barbara Malmstrom says
Thank you so much Jennifer. You took the words right out of my mind and placed them in front of my eyes! I often wonder why I find it so difficult to enjoy the moments as they come – I am trying to work on that. Children are with us for such a short time and we can’t afford to waste it being “out of sorts”. Every season has it’s joys and it’s challenges. I agree with you – sometimes it takes a child to remind you that you are in the middle of a moment that you will someday look back on with fondness.
Paula says
I love this post. What was really encouraging were your last words: Baby Steps, my Friend.
Thank you
Craig says
Always the awe of the new vanishes with time. The first snowflakes we gaze at in wonderment and a sigh. But then enchantment gives way to indifference that ushers in concern. And I wonder too, just as you said so well, “Where has my delight gone? When did it leave me?”
But then if you didn’t concern yourself with the “dogs’ play area” who would, and if didn’t concern yourself with the making of the hot chocolate dolloped with cream, that joy would be lacking in your home. Because you allow concern to be ushered in, delight finds a home in your children.
Thank you for this.
And today, I pray that God shines his love on you and yours.
Dee Kasberger says
i think i need to go sledding:) or build a snowman. or both!
Debbie Dillon says
Just stumbled across your blog from the Blog Frog InCourage Community and I LOVE it. It’s beautiful over here, and I love this post. Looking forward to a return visit. Be Blessed today 🙂
Debbie
Heidi M says
Yes, Jen, savor the next snowfall! I had the opposite reaction to our southern SnowFest last week– I was charmed, delighted to have an unexpected day (or 5) off, and enjoyed snapping pics and entertaining endless troops of tweens and teens with snowy boots, gloves, and hats. Put your boots on next time and go make a snow angel– I promise it’ll come back to you. 🙂
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
Yea, Heidi…you will be mentor for the next Snow storm. 🙂
Wanda says
I know….I can be such a drag! I appreciate the reminder to HAVE MORE FUN!!
Today we’re totally snowed in. I spent it in pj’s with my teen girls watching Netflix LOST episodes.
Yea, we partied (lazy girl style)!! haha
Jan says
Being encouraged despite imperfections is what true living is all about . And fighting the perfectionistic tendencies I harbor, so that I may enjoy His creation is a daily struggle. Thank you for being part of my encouragement today! I appreciate you!
Kelly S says
I was just wondering this same thing during our last snowfall. I use to LOVE it when it snowed, one reason is because we get snow so rarely here in NC (or it used to be that way). Now I see snow as just something that gets in the way. We live on a farm now with horses and the cold weather just makes everything so much harder. I know that I need to look at the snow through my children’s eyes and enjoy it more!
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
Ok, Kelly – I heard we’re supposed to have more snow. We’ll look at this next storm through their eyes (together).
kendal says
i think the difference for me is the responsibility that comes with snow. when i was a kid, i didn’t wash the extra laundry, worry about the driveway, make the hot cocoa, find the lost gloves, mop up the muddy floor….
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
Exactly – considering our entry is still full of muddy boots and an even muddier floor, I tend to agree. That’s why with this next snow, I’ll try and enjoy it despite of the mud. 🙂
Lorihb says
Luv the thoughts and reminder! Just finished skiing with my boys … Creating memories. They were amazed how mom can out ski them!