Freedom Of Being Snowed In
Feb 6th, 2010 by Timothy Pancoast
Perhaps I have been in a Scrooge type mood this year but my personal observation is that the multiple snow falls have helped me feel closer to my friends and neighbors than the Christmas holidays did. When we get snowed in all of the usual distractions disappear. Work gets canceled, school is canceled, even church services and other activities are canceled. Instead of the usual hectic pace of life I am able to go outside and spend a few hours in the snow. And guess what? Many of my neighbors are doing the same thing. While we help dig each other out we talk, and have had longer, more fulfilling conversations than we have experienced in years.
So with all of the drawbacks of being snowed in I have found the experience to be very inspiring and have enjoyed it. I have reconnected with some of the people that live closest to me, and in spite of the sore muscles the next day, I wouldn’t trade that for a day of work or school in a million years.
So while we are all snowed in I encourage you to take advantage of the situation. Go help shovel a neighbor’s driveway, or if they are shoveling yours offer them some hot chocolate. Talk to them and get a little closer to your family and friends. It is well worth the time and effort, and it can liberate your humanity like few other things will.
Nice post. Same thing in my neighborhood. Almost makes you forget some of these good people think different than us about politics.
Very true, snow is not political. It falls on people reguardless of party affiliation or lack thereof. When we have something in common, such as a foot or two of snow, we all of a sudden have something to talk about. Then while we are talking it often happens that we find out we have even more in common than just the snow.
Very good, of course for some of us it means almost non stop work. I was activited for the storm.
I was glad to see your post. I did not get to congratulate you on your 50th. I appreciate your writing.
Our family played Monopoly for hours, for the first time in years. As inconvenient as a day or two of being snowed-in can be, it does tend to bring people together.
I am finally home. Now I will get a short break and report in for the next storm tomorrow. I came home and finished shovelling. Maybe I will get to see what you are talking about.
I really do think that your larger point is powerful. In times past, we experienced things as families and communities. Now we all go our own way until something like a snowstorm forces us to discover one another. There is something beautiful about that if old fashion.
Thanks for the congratulations. I wasn’t even aware that I had reached 50.
Unfortunatly it is likely that your break will be very short. Rest up, and enjoy your family while you can.