"It's snowy, it's snowy, it's snowy!" she hollered all day long. This morning, she ran around the house to each room, peering out of each window to make yet, another reality check. The wheels were turning rapidly in her head. Yep, it's there too. Front yard, neighbor's roof, street, cars. She couldn't get out the door fast enough. Mama and daddy stumbled for coffee and long johns. "Babe, remember that hat I use to wear?" Yep. I showed Byron where our real winter stuff has been stored all these years.
For months now, each day, Bea and I enjoy Winter. And each day, it seems, we discover something in the illustrations that we've never noticed before. She calls it her Snowy book. And it must be read each day even though there are no words and the story spills out differently each time. Maybe that's why she loves it so.
Today, I am sure, in her own little mind, she lived out some of the precious moments she has absorbed from Winter's pages as she discovered snow. I wonder what she was thinking as she spread her fingers through the snow for the first time. Was she surprised by how cold it was? Was she mesmerized by the impartial presence of snow? By it's quietness and it's unyeilding strength? I'm sure she was.
Truth be told, we received only an inch or two of the pretty, white stuff. And by early this afternoon, it was already melting away rather quickly. Though I was a sad to say hello and goodbye to it so very quickly, Bea went outside in the afternoon with just as much enthusiasm as she did hours earlier. I asked her "Where's all the snow Bea?" I thought she'd pause with a moment of sadness as she realized it was all but gone. But no, she matter of factly pointed to a white island along the edge of the yard. "There!" Without judgement and a heart full of happiness. I want to be like her when I grow up!
Living around her energy, her joy, her reverence for life and the big picture that all this really is, does a profound job of humbling a person. She humbles me. Time and time again.
What a beautiful wonderland...gorgeous. Such a contrast to us here in NZ, it's so hot it's hard to do anything, even the evening doesn't give any relief at the moment. Enjoy the snow, it looks like fun. xxxx
Posted by: Heart Felt | February 05, 2011 at 12:38 PM
SNOW!!!!!???? We're so jealous ;) ANd that hat is fantastic!
Posted by: Stephinie | February 05, 2011 at 02:48 PM
Oh, our summers are so very hot here too! And also very long. The snow was very welcomed as it's been many, many years since we've had any.
Sadly enough, the snow is all gone.
Posted by: Nichole | February 05, 2011 at 11:20 PM
I know - it was just a little bit and it's all gone now. But it was so good while it lasted. :)
Posted by: Nichole | February 05, 2011 at 11:22 PM
Oh yes, THE HAT is DONE!
Posted by: Nichole | February 05, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Yeah-hoo!
Posted by: Stephinie | February 06, 2011 at 12:46 PM
What a beautiful glimpse into her world, she sounds delightful. We love those Gerda Muller books, though I admit since we don't get any snow here the winter isn't as well loved as the others.
Posted by: Amber Dusick | February 07, 2011 at 08:08 PM
I didn't think she would gravitate to the Winter book as much as she has either. We're in hot and sunny Texas. So snow is a great rarity. She LOVES the book and the SNOW.
Posted by: Nichole | February 08, 2011 at 04:43 PM
That hat is wonderful! There is nothing better than little ones delighting in the snow... and chickens too!
Posted by: Catherine | February 09, 2011 at 11:05 AM