Looking out the window behind my desk, I have a wide open view of part of my back yard. Right outside my window, I see an antique metal children’s wagon that I use as a flower bed; and when I look up from there to further back in my yard, I have a great view of our propane tank. Not glamorous, right? No, it’s not but it is real life and a view that I have the privilege to see often. Beyond the propane tank, I have an old galvanized horse trough that is the future home of a garden bed. Hanging over the horse trough, are two shepherd’s hooks with metal watering cans that give the appearance of them pouring constant water into the horse trough. Why do I share with you my view out my desk window? Good question; I am sure I will get to that. Not much more than a week ago, my view was that of wet brown/green grass and dead flowers. Then the snow happened. I then had a beautiful view of a thick blanket of pure bright white snow that was; not only beautiful, but also a brightener to my spirit. Some may say that I have lost it because snow is horrible. Well, I may have lost it; however, I also prefer the bright white reminder of the purity of Christ and the blanket of love that He showers over me!

I enjoyed many moments looking out at the beautiful white snow that had no tracks in it, no leaves scattered through it, and no mud mixed into it; and then, I had the great idea of spending time with my grand Littles (3 years and 1 1/2 years old) out in the wonderful snow. I had no preconceived ideas of what our time outside would be like but I just wanted to spend some time with my Littles having some fun in the snow. This is not where I say that it ended up being horrible and that I regretted the thought; actually, it was one of the best ideas that I have had in a very long time. Not only did my Littles laugh and have lots of fun, but God met me outside and encouraged me to throw my frustrations at our six foot wooden fence, in the form of snow balls. That was invigorating! I taught the kiddos how to make snow angels; and yes, I made one or two myself because why let the kiddos have all the fun. The kiddos and I threw unpacked snow globs at each other and we made an interesting snow sculpture on papa’s car trailer. It was a great half hour that I wouldn’t trade for anything! The younger of the two wasn’t crazy about laying in the snow to make a snow angel; however, once I showed the older kiddo how to make one, he kept making them. The hardest part was getting them to go back into the house.

After the kiddos and I played outside in the snow, my view out my desk window wasn’t visually as pretty; however, it was still beautiful for my spirit because all the footprints and snow angels were a reminder of some life lived and some memories made with my grand Littles. How sweet those memories are!

A day or two after my Littles and I enjoyed playing in the snow, I looked out at my front deck and saw the undisturbed blanket of snow and admired it’s beauty; I also felt that it showed no signs of life lived through it. I decided that it was time to walk through that fresh snow and allow myself to think like a child; just for a few moments. Kicking up the snow and walking through it’s 12 or so inches of cold whiteness was refreshing.

Here I am again, looking out of my window and enjoying the latest blanket of white fluffiness. The blanket of snow is not smooth and seamless as it was prior to our playing outside; it bares a reminder of the fun memories of playing outside in the snow with my Littles, because it is bumpy and wavy. There’s still a clump or two of snow on the fence that reminds me of the frustration release that I experienced as I threw snow balls at the fence. I thought that I would get back around to why I shared with you about the view out my desk window; and I did. 🙂

I recently heard someone say that the world wants us to be less foolish and I can’t help but agree with that statement. What’s so wrong about being a little silly or foolish; in a healthy way, once in a while? We might just be happier. We might find a little more joy. We also may just be a little healthier if we play outside in the snow sometimes and make snow angels or throw snow balls. This is the silliness and foolishness that I am referring to. Who cares if the neighbors see you playing like a kid; heck, maybe they will give it a try as well. If my neighbors ever happen to see in my picture windows where my living room is, they will likely see me dancing like a monkey or a dinosaur with my grand Littles as we get some exercise before they take their nap. This type of foolishness is not only a great habit for them to get into but also great exercise for their grammy. I want to encourage you to go make angels in the snow or dance like a monkey, just live life in a healthy way; you could start a healthy trend!

#livinglifeinthesnow #besillyandlivelife