Saturday, December 30, 2006

Welcome to the Magical Kingdom

Friday night, (well, it was Friday night when I started this post, so now that's about three weeks ago,) Laser Jock and I took dates to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert, featuring Norwegian singer Sissel. The music was absolutely incredible, and I highly recommend everyone find a copy of Sissel's "Like an Angel Passing Through My Room." It's breathtakingly beautiful. Really. Search for Sissel listen on Google, and click the first link. It's right there. Go. You won't regret it.

As we made our way toward the exits of the Conference Center after the concert, I looked outside and saw that it was snowing. I was happy. Very happy. Inordinately happy, in fact. You might not believe how excited I get about snow. Fortunately for you, I'm going to tell you all about it.

There’s something magical about looking out the window and seeing thousands of snowflakes falling from the sky. Looking outside and seeing the world transform right in front of your eyes is a bit like watching Tinkerbell sprinkle pixie dust over the ship and seeing it fly away. It’s the same old ship underneath, but suddenly it’s so much more.

When I was back in Elementary School, snow meant snowmen, snowball fights, and sledding in our own front yard. Just looking outside and seeing the world turn white gave me a thrill, and I still haven’t lost that feeling. There are things you just can’t do without snow, things that I love. Have you ever skied down a mountain covered in fresh powder and laughed for joy at the rush? Have you ever snowmobiled to the top of a peak and marveled at the view? Have you ever noticed how beautiful a girl can be when little snowflakes lie nestled in her hair? Have you ever made a snow angel just for the fun of it, even though it never ends up looking anything like an angel? Have you ever tried to catch snowflakes on your tongue, even though they’re so small that you usually can’t tell when you’ve caught one? There are so many simple pleasures of life in the winter to enjoy that I hardly know where to begin.

There’s a peaceful feeling that comes with a new snowfall. Suddenly, everything is calm and silent. The world is hushed, almost in reverence. The first lasting snowfall usually comes right around Christmas, and I find that taking a long walk in falling or freshly fallen snow draws my mind to pondering. I begin to marvel at the Creation brought about by our Father and his Son. The delicate snowflakes and exquisite crystalline icicles humble me. Here am I, a student at a well-respected school of higher learning, and I can’t even draw a decent snowflake, much less create one. The intricacies involved in the world around us fascinate me, and I feel greater love for my Father in Heaven.

Welcome to the Magical Kingdom. I hope you all enjoy it.