snow days

Snow hit the Portland area this week, and let me just say, it was the best surprise ever.  I've been feeling a bit behind on my “to do” list and these snow days have allowed me to just breath.  It’s the best feeling to walk outside to desolate streets and have your ears feel like they need to pop because the silence is so intense. Do you know what I mean?  The calming that it brings over you has the power to bring a smile across your face, because you know in that moment, you have no obligations and nowhere to go, because this flawless white powder has trapped you and everyone else in its path. It’s a beautiful thing.  It allows you to step back and appreciate how much of a good thing alone time can be.  I was able to watch Good Will Hunting while snowed in and I came to the realization that it may be my favorite movie of all time, and for this reason:

“So if I asked you about art, you'd probably give me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo, you know a lot about him.  Life's work, political aspirations, him and the Pope, sexual orientation, the whole works, right? But I bet you can't tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel.  You've never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling. Seen that. If I ask you about women, you'd probably give me a syllabus about your personal favorites. You may have even been laid a few times. But you can't tell me what it feels like to wake up next to a woman and feel truly happy. You're a tough kid. And I'd ask you about war, you'd probably throw Shakespeare at me, right: "Once more into the breach, dear friends." But you've never been near one. You've never held your best friend's head in your lap, and watch him gasp his last breath looking to you for help. I'd ask you about love, you'd probably quote me a sonnet. But you've never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable. Known someone that could level you with her eyes, feeling like God put an angel on Earth just for you. Who could rescue you from the depths of Hell. And you wouldn't know what it's like to be her angel, to have that love for her, be there forever, through anything, through cancer. And you wouldn't know about sleeping sittin' up in the hospital room for two months, holding her hand, because the doctors could see in your eyes that the terms "visiting hours" don't apply to you. You don't know about real loss, 'cause that only occurs when you've loved something more than you love yourself. And I doubt you've ever dared to love anybody that much.”

It’s just brilliant.  Robin Williams has successfully made me want to just live in every moment and take the time to enjoy non-material things.  Because that’s what life is really about. Maybe that’s why I’m swooning over this snow? Anyways, these last few days have been wonderful thanks to Mother Nature and Mr. Williams.  I can only hope for another snow spell before this winter is over, because I know I’ll need it.

P.S. Doesn't the snow look good on Portland?