Friday, January 23, 2009




My daughter is on a mission to see snow. As a Florida native she has never experienced the bitter cold, the scrapping of ice off of a windshield and the obstacle course between parked cars and pedestrians when you finally lurch into drive.

She has never had to shovel herself out of a door or been unable to shower because the pipes had frozen. She has never been so cold that the snot on her face has frozen in a white line between mouth and nose. She has never had to avoid stepping in gray slush as the snow begins to melt.

The kid also has never experienced sitting by the radio or TV listening intently for school closings. She has never looked up at night towards the street light and seen the enchanting way the snow looks as it comes down. She has never taken that one big deep breath of icy air or exhaled the steam caused by it. She has never made a snow angel or a snowman. She has never been beaned by a snowball and retaliated with one of her own. She has never come in, stomped her boots making a puddle by the door and get the scent of the hot chocolate being made just for her.

I really need to make plans to take her up north soon.

9 comments:

The Girl said...

Snow is beautiful, I think everyone should have the chance to experience it. With the exception of the shoveling and having no where to park, but nothing beats a good snow day at home.

Olly said...

I grew up with 4 seasons that included a wonderful snow (but ass-freezing cold) winter. Never got used to the two seasons we have here. Dreary and Monsoon.

Tammy said...

She can come to my house although I am a bit spoiled, my pipes have never frozen in this house in 14 years and even with temps at -30. ALl the rest would be experienced though. ;-)

Just Me said...

We used to take the kids to the snow at least once every winter. Depending on how low it was, probably about an hour and a half drive at the most. Boots, saucers for sliding, hot chocolate, mittens, scarves, the whole bit. We would come home soaking wet, tired as hell and usually someone would end up getting sick. Once a year was good enough for me!

Special K said...

I like it when you write stuff like this! And oh yeah, that little girl needs her some white stuff stat! I wouldn't take for those memories growing up. I have always been in the South where snow is heralded as a great event and I think that adds a little sweetness to the pot. You can appreciate and enjoy it more when it is not a every day thing!

Coffeypot said...

Take her to the store and let her set in the cooles in the frozen section for about an hour and every few minuets throw a snowcone at her.

Burfica said...

We get snow that's enough for snowmen and snowballs about once every 2 to 4 years, that's enough for us. hahahahaha

We get drizzles of snow almost every year, and a bit sticking, but ever few years we get quite a bit.

I love when it snows like that. If I had to live in a bunch of snow, for a long period of time I would kill someone and probably myself. But once in a while is nice.

Karen said...

I never really thought about it but I guess a lot of people don't know what it is to have 4 real seasons.

I love NJ. Something you don't hear everyday, I know.

Golden To Silver Val said...

It sounds as though you speak from experience. As the wind chills are down to -15 and over a foot of snow on the ground, I'm thinking Florida looks pretty damn good.