As we grow older, rising early to scrape snow off your windshield and navigating icy roads to drive to work is frustrating, to say the least. Sadly, with maturity, we seem to forget the magic of snow. And with the absence of icy precipitation in Florida, it has taken on an almost mythical quality for me.
So, as I prepared for what has become our annual New Year’s trip to Maine, my thoughts turned to the weather. According to weather.com, conditions looked promising for at least a dusting of the white stuff.
Armed with winter gear, I readied myself for our trip. Florida friends were joining us, and as we loaded the luggage into our car at the Portland Jetport, there was the distinctive smell of snow in the air.
Over dinner, the four of us agreed to meet early for breakfast and some sightseeing. That evening, my husband was asleep before his head hit the pillow. Listening to the 11 o’clock news, I felt myself also falling off to sleep when I heard, “snow… and 4 to 6 inches…” I didn’t hear much else, but it was enough to jolt me awake. I ran to the window to see that the weatherman was amazingly precise in his forecast. It was snowing steadily, framing our window in white. Barely able to contain my excitement, I jumped back into bed, pulled the blankets up close and tried to get some sleep.
There is nothing like a fresh snow to awaken childhood memories; school closings, sledding, snow forts, hot cocoa and ice skating! I nodded off for a short time, but could not resist the urge to watch the snow as it transformed the street below from black to white. Watching from our window most of the night, I was afraid it would all be gone by morning.
Amazingly, it was still snowing when I awoke. Although a little tired, I could not wait to venture outdoors.
Outfitted in our coats, boots, hats and gloves, the four of us stepped outside. The snow continued to fall, sparkling white, blanketing the streets and sidewalks, covering the tree branches above like icing on a cake. The air was crisp and we could hear the crunch, crunch, crunch of the snow beneath our feet.
This was magic worth waiting for; the kind that unleashes happy memories we’ve long forgotten, but are fortunate enough to experience here in Maine. Happy New Year and to a magical 2008!
Mora Hecht lives in Palm Beach Gardens, FL but travels regularly to Maine to enjoy the sights and the snowy weather.