Here in Northern Virginia, we just had our first real snow day of the season. And if you live around here, you know that predicting snowfall is basically like shaking a Magic 8-Ball—“Signs point to yes,” but also, “Ask again later.” Sometimes we get buried, sometimes it’s a light dusting, and sometimes everything shuts down for what turns out to be zero snow. But today? We got the real deal. It’s still coming down, blanketing everything in that pristine, untouched quiet—except for the fox prints crisscrossing the backyard.
We’re lucky to back up to a golf course, which transforms into our personal winter wonderland. So out we went—sledding, hiking up hills with a very opinionated 3.5-year-old in tow (parents, you know), and attempting to shovel the driveway with a toddler who insisted on helping until the snow proved heavier than his willpower.
Last year, he was happy to be bundled up and carried along for the ride. This year? Not so much. He’s got thoughts on how sledding should be done, where we should go, and precisely how much snow should or should not be in his mittens. It’s chaos, but the best kind—the kind filled with giggles, rosy cheeks, and eventually, the much-needed thawing-out session indoors with warm snacks, showers, and cuddles.
And you know what? I’m embracing it. The snow day, the coziness, the forced pause. It’s not always easy for me to do nothing when there’s time to be productive, but today, I’m letting go. Letting winter do its thing. And maybe, just maybe, doing it all again tomorrow.
“Snow was falling, so much like stars filling the dark trees, that one could easily imagine its reason for being was nothing more than prettiness.” —Mary Oliver
How can you take a pause today, whether you are enjoying a snow day or just needing to take a moment to yourself?