I am immersed in yet another snowstorm as I am writing this. I believe our natural inclination is no different than with other mammals at such times. We want to hunker down, bury ourselves beneath warm blankets, and snuggle with a loved one – or in my case, my cat.
I started a partime job last week and I was scheduled to begin my shift at 3:00 this afternoon. Before I could even begin to shovel the 8 inches, or more, of snow off my truck, I needed to first shovel a path to the street where it is parked. I am immensely grateful that this snow is soft and powdery, unlike the last snow which was wet and heavy.
Prior to bundling up from head to toe, I soaked in a warm bath of epsom salts. It helps to get my rickety bones and stiff muscles moving. It also makes facing the cold less daunting, when I am already warm before having to brave the blowing snow. This makes me very grateful that I have a bathtub and hot water. I am equally grateful to have power and internet. Everyday, I am thankful for the roof over my head, for a working tea kettle, and a kitchen stocked with food.
I often think of the life I had with my grandparents when I was barely more than a toddler. My grandmother was amazing – a real pioneer woman, living high in the Rocky Mountains. We lived in a tent for a time because her husband was a lumberjack. Grandma cooked our meals on an open fire. She warmed a large rock on that same fire, wrapped it in a blanket and placed it in the bed with me, which was at the foot of her bed. In the morning, snow would have to be brushed off the tent; then Grandma fried freshly caught trout, fished from the nearby creek, for our breakfast.
I am thankful that I do not have to endure the hardships that my ancestors had to. The human beings of today are soft and pampered, compared to them. I do not know if I could be as courageous as my grandmother was. For today at least, I do not have to. My manager has called to tell me not to come in today. What sweet relief!
