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Main Page Site Index Getting Pregnant Pregnancy Parenting Pregnancy and Parenting Journals Fertility Nutrition Pregnant Moms Morning Sickness Women's Health Child Health	Grace's First Snow by Julie Rosien Friday, January 08, 1999 It was inevitable that the snow would come. We live in Ontario and it is the way we mark time here. However, my two-year-old daughter had no previous experience of this and it came as a total shock to her. Her knowledge of snow was extremely limited. The previous winter she was pushed around in a climate controlled buggy and those precious feet of hers never touched the ground. We had such a lovely fall this year and all the children were enjoying being able to ride their bikes until late December. Grace happily accepted the extra layer of clothes and the mitts and went on her merry way. She played with her older brothers and followed them endlessly around the yard. To her the slightly colder air was forgivable as long as she could still play outside with the big kids. Her joy was not to last however. A week ago southern Ontario was dealt the fierce hand of winter. Mother Nature shook her cloak with vigor and abruptly changed seasons. The earth and the trees and yes our homes groaned under the weight of her vengeance all through the night. When we awoke the next morning it was to a world transformed. Where there had been a sprinkling of snow before, now there was two feet. Easily. Everything was covered in a wondrously thick blanket of snow. The entire world had gone from brown and gray to white. The older boys were giggling with delight even before their feet hit the floor. "When can we go out?" Their shrieks and squeals could be heard across the province, as everywhere there was a mad scramble for hats and mitts. Mothers and Fathers were being hurried through coffee as children waited impatiently to go out into the snow. To a child there is nothing better in this life than being the first one to mess up the backyard with footprints and snow angels. My middle son insisted on eating breakfast with his snow pants on so that he would be ready sooner. Grace was a different story though all together. She was intrigued to say the least about this new and wonderful world outside. As the boys started getting ready she too went for her boots and snowsuit. She waited patiently for me to finish the dishes and brush my teeth. We then began the long and cumbersome task of dressing her for outside. Once she was completely ready I then began to dress myself for the cold. After a long and drawn out wait my littlest angel was ready for her first real trip into the snow. We opened the door and I stepped out into my favorite time of year. I took a long deep breath of the freshly fallen snow and turned to help Grace of the step. Her look of curiosity had turned to one of horror and dismay. The wind whipped around her head and filled her face with snow. Her look of horror soon turned to a scream of terror, as I now had to physically pull her outdoors. A two-year-old can become a force of nature when they are being forced to do something they would rather not. Thirty pounds of screaming and wiggling could bring a strong man to his knees. Needless to say Grace was dropped rather by accident into the snow. Face first. Her impression of snow was worsening by the moment. At this point I should have guessed that I was on the losing side of this war and given up and gone into the house. However, like the snow loving fool that I am I decided to tough it out. We ventured into the backyard to only be assaulted by more of the flying white stuff. Had the snow stayed on the ground I may have had a fighting chance with the little war machine. As it was the wind was picking up and the more it did so the enraged Grace became. So, we decided to try a ride in the sleigh. Most children like being pulled or pushed anywhere. Grace is not like most children. Getting her in the sleigh was not something I would recommend for the faint of heart. Nevertheless, I did get her into it and then we took off. Everyone knows that as long as its moving a child will stay put so we started moving right away. I got the other three rounded up and we headed up the hill to Grandma's house. I think that Grace was in shock by this point and she held on for dear life as we went up and down snow banks. The walk to their grandparent's house was uneventful and for once peaceful. All the neighbors were out shoveling their drives and everyone had a cheery greeting. In fact, I think it is the first time in years I have seen so many of my neighbors. Nothing brings out the neighborly spirit like a good dumping from Mother Nature. People that I didn't think knew each other were out there shoveling one another's drives. It was a blessed moment. Blessed moments never last and this one was shattered all too quickly. As we neared my parent's home we called to my Dad. As soon as Grace saw her beloved Grandfather she fell apart. The lip came up in a most artful way and she opened her mouth and let out a bloodcurdling wail. Of course Grandpa dropped his shovel and jumped over the snow bank to see Grace. He wasted no time in scooping her up and consoling this little soul. As he so lovingly held her and cooed sweet nothings in her ear he glared at me. The look was all too familiar. How could you bring her out in this.. this.. Prying Grandpa and Grace apart was an inhuman task. Eventually I did manage to separate them and we began our trip home again to see if I could salvage any of this morning. Shoveling was out of the question as I could not keep it moving and clear the driveway at the same time. It would not have mattered now anyway. She had seen Grandpa and knew that she had a right to cry. I was toast. It mattered not that her brothers were frolicking around in the white stuff and seemed to be immensly enjoying themselves. She wanted no part of it and this was not a battle she was prepared to lose. She did not lose. I did. We came in. After we had everything hung up and put away we went to the window to watch the boys build snow forts. She sat quietly on my knee like a fat cat that always got its own way. We have been outside since but her reaction is pretty much the same. I'm not going to give up though. Each day we venture out for a few minutes. The crying is easing up a little and I can see a dim spark of curiosity. If the wind would stop I know she would love the snow. After all, we live in Ontario and snow is a part of our lives. I would rather it be a good and happy part. Julie is the Mom of four. She would like to thank her husband and her little "darlings" for the inspiration she needs to get her through each and every day. If you would like to comment on her work or just add some encouragement you can reach her at rosien@netcom.ca.