First Snow!

Korrin B.

December 15, 2008 - 11:44 AM

Last night the first snow hit Eugene. I am still amazed that it snowed so early this year. I love the snow. Well, let me revise that. I love the snow when it only comes once or twice a year. I could never live somewhere like Denver where the winter means feet of snow day after day. I am perfectly content to frolic in four to five inches of snow, at a low elevation, for one or two days.
What amazes me about the snow is how silently and beautifully it comes. On Sunday night, my friend, Michelle, and I walked outside to see if there was too much snow for her to drive home. Our quick trip outside turned into a prolonged journey into a winter oasis. We walked to the edge of my driveway and became mesmerized, watching the snow fall.

It was so quiet out as the glistening flakes fell from the sky and blanketed themselves on the ground. It was absolutely freezing out and we had not dressed to stay out for very long. However, as we both stood there watching the snow, I was overcome with peace. I felt as though even if it was freezing outside, I could stay out there and just meditate. I emptied my mind into the snowy scene. The snow seemed like it was coming unexpectedly and just covering up everything that was bad. As it fell, it covered the dirt and grim of a long fall term. It hid gas-guzzling cars under a dusty white coat. It surrounded houses, keeping families inside, with each other, where their love would be what existed to keep them warm. When a mindless idiot came and destroyed the peace, racing by us, doing 180's and 360's in his truck, he left muddy marks in the perfect white snow. However, as Michelle and I continued to just stand there and gaze at the whole process going on, we watched the tire tract slowly disappear. The beautiful snow was so innocent, so perfect, a fresh start.

Michelle and I decided that it was best if she stayed the night and didn't drive home. Michelle is from Hawaii and I am from California, hence we don't drive in snow. Once this was decided, we began to walk, to test the great plain of snow. I followed in the footsteps Michelle left in the snow, as not to ruin its virgin beauty. Our slow stroll began as a quest to find deer tracts and ended up as a philosophical conversation about life. Michelle and I walked and walked and shared in great conversation, all the while ascending the street's hill. When we got to the top, we had covered some pretty deep topics. All that was left was to vent out all that could be left of life's struggles and embrace the childlike cheer of the snow. I wanted to sled down the hill.
Michelle and I soon found ourselves, at two in the morning, rummaging through the neighbors' recycling bins to try and find some cardboard that could work as a sled. It had recently been trash day though, so our luck wasn't too great. We were about to give up, when I decided to open up this small cereal box labeled "Nutty Rice" and attempt to slide it down the hill. Neither of us thought it would work, but next thing I knew, I was balancing on my butt, slipping and sliding down our big hill. I couldn't stop laughing. Michelle got another Nutty Rice box and we both sled our way down to the bottom of the hill.

We were completely freezing and wet by the time we got back into my house, but the laughs and the joy that had accompanied it had been priceless. We warmed up with cocoa and more conversation. Life can get cold, but even in the coldest weather one can find simple joys.