It snowed today. Not a light dusting of snow, but real honest to god snow. Well, OK, so still light-ish compared to a real Nor'easter, but 7 inches fell today. School went on as usual although several adults managed to call out from work for weather related issues. The snow started early in the dark before dawn, and broke sometime around 4 this afternoon. I never saw the sun today, only soft flakes falling in a continuous swirl and dancing on the cold cold wind.
Getting home tonight meant shoveling, and I started to huff about it, and become cross, but it just didn't last. For one, I didn't have time to fuck around being pissy, because my nephew, Chibit, was plowing. Picture a young 20-something with heavy equipment at his complete disposal. And yet he plows with a meticulous intensity I'd have never believed if someone would have tried to describe it to me. I realized that our Christmas tree, which was still laying like a dead deer on the sidewalk, had to go into the house or be buried for the season, before ever being used. I carefully cleared off my steps, and hauled the tree upright, stomped the trunk on the sidewalk a few times to try and shake off the snow accumulated in it's branches, and brought it in. My nearly frostbitten fingers sought the warmth of my daughter's very warm and cozy neck, making her squeal and dodge, and together we managed to get the tree situated in it's nook. We need only wait for the tree to thaw and the branches to open up before we start decorating it.
Back to the shoveling. As Chibit cruised the plow at 45 mph down the driveway, and carefully cleared not only my sidewalk snowbanks, but my neighbor's as well, it struck me that he's a winter baby too. Chibit is born early in the month, and is part of the winter royalty as well. Chibit is more a Jack Frost, a delightful yet brooding prankster who'd have you believe he couldn't give a damn, but has a bigger winter heart than most. His actions attest to his care of his relatives, friends, and fellow planetary inhabitants. He's matured a lot in the past year, and Chibit has always been a bit of my pet. Christ he was a difficult child, and almost died by my own hand a few times, on purpose, I assure you, but he's worth all that struggle. He came out of it well deserving of his place in the Winter Castle. I name him Anticipation, the keeper of people's swelling hopes and dreams for the final days. He that builds their imaginations, and keeps them wanting to continue, he that makes them push thru the adversity to see what comes next. Like Jack Frost proper, he, by his actions, reminds people that there is something exciting building, something to look forward to. I love you Chibit.
Back to Shoveling. Chibit gone, and the plowing wrapped up, the finishing touches and final scrapings had to be done. So I put my coat back on and headed out with my favorite shovel, and realized that I was enjoying myself. One by one the neighbors were coming out with their shovels too, and taking some time to catch up, maybe help one of the older folk out. The Christmas lights lit up our work, and the snow crystals reflected those myriad colors back at us like a million perfect prisms. The sky was deep Prussian blue, liberally streaked with indigo and countless pinpoints of starry lights. And it was cold. Crisp cold, the kind that pinks your cheeks, and frosts your breath. The kind that makes your winter heart feel warm inside. I was almost disappointed to go in for the night because it was a moment of such profound beauty and contentment. What I can look forward to is that it's only one of many storms yet to come that need to be cleaned up after. I feel so amazingly alive right now. So happy, so in place and time. The Ice Princess wishes everyone a magical night amidst the beauty of the season.
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