Alright, who angered the snow gods?
One of us must have done something pretty unforgiveable. Who rear-ended Jack Frost’s car? Who cut in front of Morozko (also known as Father Frost in Russia) at the DMV? Who dared to interrupt the great Aztecan winter god Itztlacoliuqui while he was telling his boring vacation story?
Someone must’ve upset these winter lords. It’s the only explanation. Own up to your transgressions and perhaps they will pardon our town.
I thought we were in the clear. As we slid into March, I felt a change in the air. The sun stuck around until dinner time. I could see patches of pavement poking through the months-old layers of snow. The temperature didn’t plummet to below minus-30 every night. I even busted out my spring jacket on a few occasions.
I thought we’d gotten through the worst of winter. I thought we’d be walking through slush and puddles in a matter of weeks. I thought we’d made it to the other side.
What a fool I was.
This past weekend, winter reminded us it’s not done wreaking its terrible and inexplicable vengeance. It warmed up (or should I say cooled down) last Saturday, peppering us with icy roads, before laying the smack down on Sunday and Monday. Roads were turned into powdered nightmares. Cars helplessly spun their wheels. People desperately shoveled only to watch their hard work disappear in 30 minutes. We are still trapped in winter’s domain.
But I don’t want to focus on the doom and gloom. Between the endless snark and sarcasm, I like to look on the bright side. I like to find positives. And, believe it or not, I can see a ray of hope in this winter wasterland.
Snow unites us. It’s something we can all agree on. It’s something we’ve all experienced, in one way or another. We remember how fun it was as children, and we know how annoying it can be as adults.
We’ve all thrown out our back shoveling against the white menace. We’ve all held our steering wheels in a death-grip as we’ve slowly driven down the ice-paved highway. We’ve all built snowmen as we’ve waited for plows to dig us out.
Something that can universally bring us together is a good thing. It helps us connect with one another. Snow, in its own twisted way, is a beautiful thing.
Last Monday, as I struggled to escape my driveway, my car became embedded in the snow. A resident in my apartment building asked if I needed help. Without hesitation, he hopped behind my car and started pushing, freeing me from the rut. I thanked him as I hit the road.
We’re more willing to help one another when we can relate. And everyone can relate to the struggles of snow.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to shovel my car out from its icy prison and entreat Beira, Galelic Queen of Winter, for mercy.
