More Than a Dust of Snow
In early January we experienced a foot of snowfall, more than we have seen in eight years! The view from the office window was breathtaking, with tree shadows patterning across the snow, river glistening in the background, and snow covering the Lodge roof. While I was caught up in beauty, others had different viewpoints. I heard comments like, "There is no place to park!". "In a couple days it will just be ugly and dirty". Some people just moaned. These sentiments brought to mind a delightful winter poem by Robert Frost.
Dust of Snow
The way a crow
shook down on me
the dust of snow
from a hemlock tree
has given my heart
a change of mood
and saved some part
of a day I had rued.
Isn’t this the perennial challenge, allowing what could be an aggravation remind us that response to any part of our daily lives is our choice?
OMI novices from Zambia and Namibia did not have the backlog of many snows to affect their response to it, nor did they have to get out and go somewhere; so, instead of grousing, they were elated. One particular response can be seen in the photo. After a thrilling slide downhill into the “bowl” at the Novitiate, this excited novice threw himself face down in the snow, tossing it into the air. Pure delight!
May the above photo be an encouragement to throw ourselves delightfully into this great gift of life on our rare and precious planet. Happy February!
Crow photo credit: Photikus Production on Unsplash
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