Snow

You guys, how gorgeous was Chicago’s first snowfall? I was sitting on the couch on Sunday morning when I looked out the window and yelled, “it’s snowing!!!!”. Like a total nerd, I jumped up and immediately tried to Snapchat it as if no one else was experiencing the same thing as I. There is something so magical about any first snowfall of the season – you feel like you’re suddenly in a snow globe. It’s when you spot that very first flake fall, you just know you are in for a spectacular show of shimmering landscapes and lawns that look like white glitter threw up all over the front yard.

Snow is one of nature’s best work. It’s twinkles, it layers, it sits softly on branches like teeny tiny peaceful flakes of ice. I seriously felt like I was on mushrooms while walking in the forest preserve and admiring our first snowfall. For a while I was alone, then eventually I came about a small family who decided to also venture out and explore. I said hello and kept on my way. Later I would come across the son laying in the snow on his side, motionless. I asked the fella if he was okay and he said yes. I saw his mom a moment later as I walked out of the woods and jokingly told her that he scared the shit out of me. She laughed and said the trick was meant for her. Albeit a bit jarring, it was a good trick indeed – I thought he was a goner! I carried on my way admiring the beauty that all of these little snowflakes created, wishing I could stick around forever. Untouched snow is one of the most majestic sights one can experience.

What makes snow so magical is that it takes such a massive amount of team members of flakes to create their winter wonderland spectacle. A single snowflake has absolutely no chance without the help of her frozen friends.  This notion got me to thinking that perhaps we are indeed a bit like snowflakes. You see, not always, but often, it takes more than one individual to get shit done.  Another way to think about it is that sometimes things work out better when more than one person puts forth the effort. Whether it’s two individuals creating a home and a family, an organization working towards change and equality, a family working together to take care of a loved one or a tribe of humans working to keep their land safe, humans coming together, just like snowflakes, can create some seriously beautiful stuff. And like snowflakes, we too can be fragile, but when brought together, our strength and courage can change the course of things for the better. Michelle and I often joke that we’d be totally screwed without the help each other and our family to help care for our mom. Sure, if we were her only children we’d get the job done, but with the love and support from our family, it helps ease the pain and often brings laughs among us while taking care of Junebug. Like snowflakes, when humans unite, magic can happen. It goes to show that we may have much more in common with nature than we think.