We have yet to see snow at Maplehurst.
I have seen a dusting of white blossoms on the spiraea shrubs outside the small red barn. I have also seen two cherry trees foolishly speckled with pink blooms. They were planted at the edge of the grocery store’s parking lot. Our strangely warm December plus the heat of that concrete lot confused the trees. They think spring has come, but there can be no spring without winter.
A notice from the school arrived letting us know that the “science of sledding” field trip has been postponed.
I sat with a friend recently, and we talked about the weird weather. We also talked about some of the awful, tragic things happening in the world. We wondered how exactly to go on living and loving and creating with that shadow overhead. Is it ever okay to forget about the shadow? Is it ever okay to just be happy?
We don’t always have a choice when it comes to happiness, but sometimes we do. Yet, it isn’t always easy to accept happiness. Even if we find ourselves happy, we don’t advertise the fact. It is our guilty secret.
I love snow because it gives us both the opportunity and the permission to be happy. The shadow disappears for a while, obliterated by the icy sparkle. While it snows, we know that now is for angels and cocoa and home.
Now is for happiness. Sorrow can wait.
This world privileges Monday-morning efficiency and business-as-usual. But the kingdom of heaven is more like a snow day. It is right now. It is permission to be happy. It is laughter bubbling up from within the shadow of the cross.
There may be no snow, but today is the twelfth day of Christmas. The Douglas fir we cut down in that farmer’s back field is, miraculously, still fresh and green. I won’t pack away the ornaments until tomorrow.
Christmas has come even if the snow has not, and this right now is for angels and cocoa and home.
Right now is for happiness.
Love this! Right now IS for happiness!
Thanks, Terry!
Beautiful!
Thank you, Erin. By the way, I was on your blog this morning. I love the concept and will be sure to keep up.
Yes! I hate winter without snow- so brown and ugly… We got a tiny bit, but not enough… I’m holding out for the dumping Farmer’s Almanac promised! Snow also brings quiet with the sparkles… I love that.
So true, Megan. The quiet may be my favorite part.
You remind me of this poem, Christie: http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php?date=2010/12/02
We had a mad sky-full of snow flurries for a little bit yesterday morning. It was so driving and exciting. Of course, none of it stuck, but I loved it while it was here.
Oh, Rebecca, I love it. How perfect. I’m so glad you shared it. Thank you.
Now is the time for our happiness!
We have been give permission
…. We are told to “rejoice!
and again I say rejoice!
May your day & life be filled with joy and more joy dear friend.
I was just writing in my journal about this. 🙂 “What if I dare to be happy with just the way I am? With just the way things are?” I think there are times when we need to allow ourselves to feel happy, to feel the deep-down gladness, and to send that gladness out for those who need it. I love this, Christie. I always enjoy your words.
I am not exactly waiting for snow (I’m still recovering from last winter), but I still love this. Right now is for happiness, indeed.
Thank you, Christie! That’s so nice of you! At the rate I’m going (about a post a quarter), you should have no problem;)
Thank you for this beautiful, wondrous post. In reading through your site/blog, I noticed that you used the word “gladness”. I think that’s the word I’ve been searching for recently. Happiness can be fleeting, Joy is deep-seated and while present, doesn’t always manifest itself outwardly, but Gladness….I think that Gladness falls comfortably between Happiness and Joy. Gladness counts the numerous, everyday blessings we have and in turn shows forth contentedly on our face and in our smile and through our countenance. Gladness doesn’t change with extremes; it is a constant reflection of thankfulness for life and love and God. Thank you for resurrecting a word I’d forgotten but have been looking for. Love your writing; love your blog; I will visit often!