| Fight
encroaching adulthood - make a snow angel
By Stephanie
Hebert
December 5, 2007 | I stood outside as the snow was falling
last night and it was so quiet I could hear the snow
as it landed delicately on the ground.
I don't know what stopped me mid-stride to stand there
but I was glad I did. As I stood there and watched the
snow wafting down around me I remembered the excitement
I used to feel as a child when it snowed. I would run
outside and try to catch the snowflakes on my tongue
or in my mittened hand where I could look and try to
find two that where alike.
After the initial excitement wore off I would start
to wonder how much snow we would get. Would it be enough
to go sledding, or get the following day off school?
Would we get enough to have a snowball fight, or enough
to open the ski resorts? I smiled and chuckled a little
at my childhood exuberance.
Just for nostalgia's sake I stuck my hand out and
watched the snow sink into the palm of my hand and melt
before I could look to see of two were alike.
As I walked into the house I realized that my spirits
were lifted up to the clouds from which the snow was
falling and I had a smile on my face big enough to be
seen for miles around. I started to wonder whatever
happened to that excitement I experienced as a child
this time of year. Where did it go? I couldn't remember
when I had lost it so how was I going to find it.
All of the sudden it was like someone flipped a switch
and I understood what I had been hearing for years:
children embody the spirit of Christmas. They do this
without even realizing it. Then somewhere along the
way as we grow up we get caught up in life whether that
is school, work, or a family. We get so caught up time
passes us by without even a thought and before we know
it we are looking back on time that we can never get
back.
With a little effort I think that the grown up population
can avoid this enlarging epidemic called adulthood.
First you have to wipe away the cobwebs on your childhood
memories by pulling them out of the recesses of your
filing cabinet known as your brain.
Second you have to act on some of those impulsive
ideas like to make a snowball and throw it at someone
or lay down and make a snow angel. The first time you
try to act on one of your child like impulses you may
fail but don't get discouraged, you are fighting years
of programming that is telling you not to behave like
a child.
Before you know it you too will be filled with the
spirit of the year, but here is a word of caution, it
is contagious. Soon you will notice that the infectious
nature of child like joy will have spread to your family,
coworkers, teachers, fellow students and friends. Wait
a minute, is that so bad?
So as we are all rushing around to get ready for the
upcoming holidays stop and take the time to smell the
roses as they say. Or better yet take the time to let
a snowflake land on your nose, let the spirit of the
season invade your soul and smile, as you bend over
to make a snowball to throw at your best friend.
NW
RB
|
