Yesterday was the first snow of the year here in NYC. It was only about 2 ½ inches, but it was the perfect consistency for snowballs and snowmen (excuse me, “snowpeople”). The fact that it was Sunday helped in that we didn’t have to commute anywhere and could enjoy the day.
Sam was at a birthday party, so Molly and I went out to play. I felt like I was Molly’s age rolling around in the snow and it reminded me of how exciting the first snow of winter was when I was her age. It was clean and ripe for eating as well, and we had a banquet of wet crystal flakes.
It was also a perfect mood enhancer. Having started to feel the heaviness of shorter, darker days recently and having it color my mood, waking up to a beautiful coating of white yesterday morning lifted my spirits and made me realize that it’s only 17 more days until the days start getting longer again.
Another girl, about a year or two younger than Molly, ganged up on me with Molly to pelt me with snowballs (as much as two little girls can “pelt”) and as a dutiful dad, I fell in the snow with great loud groans of “Ya got me.” We made a snow person and wrapped Molly’s scarf around its neck. Then we made the largest snowball I’ve ever seen – about 4 ½ feet in diameter upon which I boosted Molly so she could sit and take in the world from her frozen perch.
We were only out for less than hour, but it was a glorious way to welcome winter.
