Dear God,

I didn't feel like it, but I walked outside today. It was something different and the snow looked magical. Trees heavy with snow instead of leaves, grand paths more like mazes than sidewalks, and neighbors, neighbors everywhere.

I threw snowballs, pretending they were baseballs in the final game of the World Series with the stands packed and the excitement tangible like the weather. I waited for the applause because my pitches traveled so far, so fast and I thought they were exceptional.

There was no applause so I went back into the house.

But after I came in I realized that I didn't need the applause because in those moments I felt young--so young and so small--and the world felt huge, and that was the gift.

Thank you God for bringing me the snow that I did not want but somehow needed.

Amen,
Jamie