If you live where snowfall is measured in feet and not inches, you’re probably tired of the snow by January. But living in the Deep South, snow is a magical event that only shows up every few years. Mind you, we get flurries and dustings of snow a few times each year. That’s always delightful, but the real magic happens when we get measurable snow. It’s not just the rarity that makes it magical. There’s lots to treasure about a Georgia Snow Day.
Part of the magic is that everything shuts down, well except Waffle House. I live within a few hundred feet of an interstate, so vehicle noise pollution is an unfortunate part of my daily life. All hours of the day, you can hear revving, honking, emergency sirens, and general vehicle noise. On days like today, you might get the occasional ATV or truck testing out the road or an emergency vehicle, but for the most part the roads are empty and it’s amazingly still and silent.
Another piece of the magic happens within the neighborhood. Beyond the quiet of the snow-laden land, you get the muffled sounds of laughter from children young and old. Some are trying southern sledding (where you use anything flat-ish from your house…most often an old packing box or a boogie board). Some are throwing half-made snowballs at anything and everything. Some are building snowmen. As my children are all grown, I didn’t have anyone to play with but made my own snowman (or maybe a gnomeman) and enjoyed a walk around the neighborhood and beyond. I chatted with families on their own walks, made a few snowballs for the “underdog” at one yard, smiled at the footprint evidence of some fun, and cheered on several kids as they made their own snowmen.
Another part of the magic (for me at least), is your pets’ reactions to the snow. My cats both stared out the window this morning and promptly moved to warmer spots in the house to curl up. My dog, Padme, had quite the opposite reaction. She was so excited that she ran out prancing and jumping with delight.
Last, but certainly not least, is the beauty of nature. All the trees and shrubs covered in the fluffy snow look like something out of a fairytale. It’s a rare and enchanting sight to see the glistening frost and stillness, only disturbed by the occasional bird landing on a branch.
By this point, I was cold and wet but fulfilled. 2024 was a rough season, and nothing feels quite right most of the time these days. I needed some of that magic tucked inside a Georgia snow day to be refreshed and reminded of God’s love through the beautiful little things. As I came back towards home, I even got one last little piece of magic…someone built a little snowman next to my driveway for me. 🙂
Standing Strength 