"Come, see the north-wind's masonry, 

 Out of an unseen quarry evermore 

 Furnished with tile, the fierce artificer

  Curves his white bastions with projected roof

  Round every windward stake, or tree, or door. 

 Speeding, the myriad-handed, his wild work 

 So fanciful, so savage, naught cares he 

 For number or proportion. "

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Yesterday Minnesotans experienced the first real snowstorm of the season. It is actually a little early for this to happen. Snowstorms are really more likely in February and March. So this one came as a surprise. Some people even thought of it as a gift. As the snow began to fall it was clear it was going to be a beauty of a snow fall. Tiny flakes blew round and round until, when we woke yesterday morning, there were great mounds of the the white stuff piled along fences, in driveways, along the streets.

In many school districts, December 9th also counted as the first "Snow Day" of the season. Once I saw that our district was closed, I felt the slow warmth that always surrounded me when our sons were in school and a snow day was declared. It was such a magical moment to tiptoe into their rooms, tripping over whatever clothing was strewn about, and bend over to whisper "snow day" into their sleeping ear. As a 'Yes!" was declared, a smile spread across their faces, and they snuggled closer under the covers, sinking deeply into the reprieve that had been granted. No school work today. After sleep there would be hours to play in the gift of white drifts that blanketed the yards and park in our neighborhood. I was usually blessed to be able to stay home also and would spend the day working some but mostly making hot chocolate and soup while rotating the wet clothes in and out of the dryer. The day seemed like one long recess as they laughed, red-cheeked from their snow play.

Everyone, even adults, need a snow day now and then. Snow days are those mini-sabbath moments when you let go of all the 'must do', 'have to', 'ought to' lists that can hold us prisoner. Snow days remind us that, no matter how much we plan or how in control we feel we are, tiny little flakes, each unique and beautiful in their own way, can trump our important work. These little crystals of ice combine to set us on our ear if that is our choice. But if we are wise, if we see the gift held out by blowing winds and swirling flakes, we close our eyes, crawl back into our beds and breathe a smile into the blankets. Our grown up bodies remember what it was like to have an adult whisper:"Snow day." and we reach out to receive the gift we've been given.

Tomorrow will be time enough to do what needs to be done.