First Snow

atlhough I am no big fan of winter, it's cold and gloomy snowy days, there's something magical about the first snow. The fun of watching soft fluffy flakes float to the ground, the muffled sound of the outdoors and the insulation of the house with a white coating, and the excitement of what might be coming next. It's great to have a visible reason for getting out the hot chocolate. It also makes me thankful that I have a warm home to get out of the snow, and grateful that I can go outside to play, but come in to warm up.

I love the first snow. I can't let myself think that this will be the first of many days where I will spend an hour shoveling the walks, driving in slush or white-out conditions, slipping on black ice (in our out of the vehicle), fighting to find lost mittens/hats/snowpants/boots, etc. I can't think about how it will get down below 0 F, or how I will be wishing for the spring melt.
No, with the first snow I think of snowmen, Christmas, painting the snow with colored water in spray bottles, of making snow angels, and tobogganing. I think of nipped fingers and noses that can be warmed by a mug of hot cocoa with marshmallows in it. I think of the pristine white blanket, the soft muffle that a snowfall makes, and the fun with my kids.

The first snow is the best.