There’s something about the white stuff that makes me happy, at least initially. Don’t worry, I’m talking about snow.
As it started to fall last Friday, I stared out my front window mesmerized by how the snow turned our front yard into a work of art. And once my family reported in safe, I felt downright serene.
I chomped on chips and watched television, at peace with the world. The lights flickered a couple of times, but I knew that our Hurricane-Irene-inspired hardwired generator stood like a sentinel in the backyard.
When the power did go out at 4:00 p.m., I saluted the generator that restored power and the television in five seconds flat.
But as the snow continued to fall, the feeling shifted . . . .
I started imagining that we could be snowed in for days, and days, and days. I drove my husband crazy with stories about pioneers who were snowed in one-room cabins from October to March. And, unless they were in the cast of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” they went snow-crazy.
I worried about the birds and the rabbits and the racoons outside. I tried to put birdseed on top of a particularly large drift, but the snow overtook it immediately.
And the anxiety started piling up as fast as the snow.
When we ran out of Dr. Peppers, I wondered how I would survive. My husband mentioned the Donner Pass crowd, which caused us to wonder who would go first. The dog growled in his own defense.
I decided to enjoy the elements and tried to play in the snow. . .
Unfortunately, I found weird footprints in my yard that were 70+ inches apart. Instead of thinking “squirrel,” which I’m positive was the culprit, I immediately imagined Bigfoot pacing around the woods ready to pounce.
Saturday morning, I decided to be a pioneer woman and went out to shovel snow. On the third scoop and toss, I hurt my back. Now I was stuck and injured. Bigfoot would definitely come after me now. The injured are always the first to go.
Then something beautiful happened. The same snowfall that had me glancing at the woods fearfully, ceased. I realized that fresh Dr. Peppers were in my future, and that there would be no Donner Pass decisions. I smiled.
What changed between the beginning of the snow and the end . . .
My anxiety was caused not by the snow, nor by the loss of power (thank you hardwired generator – I truly love you), nor by the large footprints (still a little concerned about those), but by my fear. I had shifted my stories from the beauty of snow to being trapped by it.
And that, my friends, is the power of story. So, take it from me – pay attention to the stories you tell yourself. Because your body reacts to the threat, no matter how farfetched. Your body takes your mind at its word.
Next time it snows, I’m telling myself better stories so I can enjoy the quiet. And I’m moving out of the country, because I am pretty sure Bigfoot caught a glimpse of me.
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Love this blog. It’s so true and funny, and I think everyone can relate to this. Hope you can go for a drive one day, soon, when the snow calms down!
Thank you, Maureen! Oh, I am now out and about and still eating as if I’ll never find food again. I have found it repeatedly at Panera Bread and Subway. 🙂
Love your story. I feel the same way when a hurricane is expected to hit Bermuda. The preparations go on for days and the anxiety level goes up to the max. I stopped listening to weather updates as it would make my anxiety worse. We can’t see outside once the house is barricaded with storm shutters. This is when I feel trapped and my clausterphobia kicks in. I’m okay till the power goes out and we have to wait till the storm has passed before we use the generator. At least you were able to go outside.
Lise, I would totally freak out during a hurricane in Bermuda. We did get hit with a hurricane where we were without power all night and a tree came through our house (that we couldn’t see). So, I get it. You are one brave woman!
Sometimes the beauty of the snow hides the ugly in our lives-hopefully when the snow returns the moisture to the earth our ugliness will return to beauty!
Beautifully said, Tom!
Sounds like a fun time to me. I always look forward to a good snow day so I can sit on the couch with a blanket and watch TV. Thanks for thinking about the birds! I also worry about them in bad weather. I feed them year round.
Sherry – we feed the birds all year as well. In fact, I’m going out today to pick up more bird feed. We spend hundreds each month on birdseed made by the Amish because they seem to prefer it :). Yes, our birds are as spoiled as our dog.
We were hoping for a lovely snow but all we got was hurricane force winds and an icy coating. It’s different in a shore town, for sure. But, we didn’t have to fight with neighbors after digging out the car! Always look on the bright side!
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Barbara: Love your “look on the bright side” perspective. And, I’m more afraid of ice than snow. There’s something about water. Perhaps it’s because I can’t swim, so I just hate every form of it :). Thanks for your comment!
This is a good example of how the circumstances don’t determine our state of being, but our viewpoints do. Thank you for the story.