We desert dwellers are not used to this kind of precipitation, cloud cover, lack of sunshine, and having to make plans around the weather for months at a time. For some, this caused property damage, power outages, and inability to work. Our family was fortunate not to have any big problems, though we did have memorable moments - one being that our church couldn't meet at its regular location due to snow, so instead we met at a pizza parlor (and the kids will forever remember the pizza brunch and arcade games that followed). But we are all very, very ready to be done with the snow and back to the reliable sunshine that we know and love.
Now that winter weather appears to be drawing to a close, I want to write 4 good things that came out of the epic snowfall this year:
1. First, a fun one - ample opportunity for snow fun. Last year, it didn't snow a single time in January or February. There were zero snow angels, snowmen, snowball fights, castles built out of icicles, night time snow walks, or sledding. This year, we had an abundance of all these activities on pretty much any day that it was convenient. Skiing has been great, and will go into late spring. Lots of good snow memories were made for all of us this year.
2. Water helps persistent drought. This is maybe the most obvious benefit to the population at large: we badly, badly needed this precipitation. We've been in drought for years, and many of us have prayed for more water, relief from wildfires, and things like that. This year's snowfall and seeing my own ungrateful response as the snowy days just kept coming reminds me of the story of the Israelites who providentially get manna from heaven - food they desperately needed - and then they get tired of it and start complaining because they would prefer some variety, something tastier. It's easier to say on the other side of winter, but what a blessing to get all this water, and also it's good for me to see how easily my heart can turn to complaint.
3. In all kinds of crazy weather, we remember how small we are and that we are not in control. I grew up in Nebraska, where we get spring storms of epic proportion. The towering wall clouds that roll in over the plains produce everything from softball sized hail to F-5 tornadoes to lightning storms where the thunder shakes the frame of your house. It's exciting and sometimes terrifying, and it reminds me how small I am. A snowpack of dozens of feet along the side of a mountain highway, or an avalanche tearing down a mountain, has a similar effect - it reminds me that I am not the one in control, I am not the one who controls the wind and the waves - and in this, I can be reminded of the one who does control it all, and be in awe.
4. We celebrate the world coming back to life in spring. The relentless precipitation has produced a deep sense of longing. Every year, it's great to hit the point where you get longer hours of light, where you can feel the warmth of the sunshine on your face, and where you start to see the flowers bloom. But especially this year, where the natural world has been hidden away by a snow cover for the first quarter of the year and where we've felt extra cooped up inside, the transition into blooming and green and warmth feels even more like *celebration*. Hurray for new life, for the world made new, for beauty all around. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder: I appreciate all the signs of spring more when they've felt so gone this winter. Cheers to spring!
