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The Song of Snow

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Faith & Inspiration

By Charles Towne

Have you ever heard the song of snow? Oh, you didn't know that snow could sing? Listen, as I tell my story.

The people of the far north, known as the Eskimo, don't have a word for grass. No, none at all. But... they have many words for snow. There is dry snow, and wet snow. There is fluffy snow, and crunchy snow. There is silent snow, and noisy snow. Oh so many names for snow.

When I was a young man back on The Fox River Valley of Illinois, I ventured out one winter night. It was one of those strange, almost balmy winter nights, full of mystery, almost magical, that might lead one to believe spring was in the air... except for the fact that it was Christmas Eve, with all the mystery that implies.

There was a mantle of snow about six inches thick. It was soft snow that hinted of a faint squeak beneath my boots. The subtle sound was muted... only a whisper... not enough to disturb any denizen that might, by chance, be exploring as I was want to do that strange and captivating evening.

Lending to the spirit of the night, the brilliance of the moon applied an element of the ethereal, a perfect pathway for my passage.

As I stealthily moved through the surrounding forest, I felt myself more a spirit-being than flesh and blood.

I paused for a moment to take it all in...the snow, the trees, the moon... and then I saw them. There, in the fork of a cottonwood tree, a pair of raccoons, both still as the night itself, seemingly moonstruck as they gazed up, like me, entranced by the golden orb in the night sky.

I heard it then, or rather, felt it... the song of snow softly singing... bringing... the beauty of life as it can be.

Kindred creatures in nature

together...

paused in stillness

enchanted...

by something bigger than us.

I knew I had been blessed by a Christmas miracle as I made my way home to celebrate another Christmas miracle that had taken place two thousand years before. It's a miracle that - like that night so long ago - still sings, and brings, the song and beauty of life that is... and can be.

Dear Papa God... where, or how, could one of your children be closer to you than in the grandeur and wonder of your creation? When we consider the crystalline structure and endless variety of the snowflake, in its myriad forms and exquisite detail, how could we ever doubt your awesome existence and love? We love you, O Holy God, and we praise you. Thank you for being you, Amen

 

Charles Towne is first and foremost a Christian. An octogenarian, author, journalist, wildlife photographer, naturalist, caregiver, and survivor, his life has been and continues to be, a never-ending adventure filled with possibilities never imagined. He has adopted the philosophy that to Live fully, laugh uproariously, love passionately, and learn like there is no tomorrow, is a formula for a long and joy-filled life.

Charles Towne, Christmas, Forest, Fox River Valley, Inspiration, Miracle, Mystery, Nature, Raccoons, Snow, Winter

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