Kristy Cambron | Spread the Christmas Joy

Snow-Day

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”

—John Ruskin


It was raining. A steady, drenching rain that was just cold enough to be chilling, but not near the point of producing welcome snowflakes from the sky. My husband and I loaded up the waterproof jackets and golf umbrellas, and on we went as a family, trekking through our small town’s annual Christmas light display in the midst of the downpour.

You read that right: it was Christmas. And it was raining.

There’s something magical about snow on Christmas. Maybe something magical about snow on any day, really. (That is, as long as you don’t have to drive in it.) And that’s why rain on Christmas Eve last year made me think of the holiday memory that stands out now. Both before and after Christmas Day – for me, it’s snow.

I remember wishing for it. Dreaming of it as a kid, each Christmas Eve. Taking snapshots in my mind so I’d recall the wonder of it later. Finding snowflakes lovely and hushed and such a softly falling work of art. Even at a tender age, I could see the beauty in it.

I have nostalgic memories of snow– one frigid morning when I woke early to find our family was snowed in. There was a crackling fire on the hearth. My Dad played his guitar in the warmth of the den while my Mom made hot chocolate. And for the time-being, that little Midwest home became a paradise.

There are fun family memories too. One work and school day before Christmas, snow came down and forced cars on the interstate into completely stalled, bumper-to-bumper traffic. We still had to drive into town and found ourselves in the thick of it. No one moved. It was miserable. Until, my Dad stepped out of his car, right there on the off-ramp. My sister and I were in the car behind, puzzled at what he could be doing. Until a snowball landed smack-dab in the center of our windshield. We looked at each other, smiled, then darted out of the car. The three of us had a snowball fight right there in the traffic jam, and I will never forget it.

These memories were because of snow. The white stuff that closes schools, causes flight cancellations and headaches for holiday travelers everywhere. And I feel for all of us when we’re in one of those situations. But for the nostalgia, for the memories and the magic of it all, I still love snow.

The rainy Christmas Eve last year made me realize that sometimes, the gentle and the beautiful are made such because of their rarity. I can’t remember the last Christmas snowfall we’ve had. But I know I’ll remember the next one. I’ll cherish the moments, and ready my heart for the magic it brings.

I love John Ruskin’s quote. Snow is good weather, that’s for sure, and I plan to revel in it whenever it comes.

Happy New Year – and may joyful, snowy days abound in 2016!

With Joy,

Kristy is offering a signed copy of A Sparrow in Terezin to one reader who comments with an answer to the question on today’s post:

What’s your best snow memory? 

Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her debut novel, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN, was named to Library Journal Reviews and RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best of 2014 lists, and received a 2015 INSPY Awards nomination for best debut novel. Her second novel, A SPARROW IN TEREZIN, was named to Library Journal Reviews Best of 2015 list, and received a nomination for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best Inspirational Book of 2015. Kristy's third historical novel, THE RINGMASTER'S WIFE, will release from HarperCollins Christian Publishing in June, 2016.

Kristy is a Speaker and Art/Design Manager at TheGROVEstory.com, and holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read.

You can connect with Kristy at:
Facebook: Kristy Cambron | Twitter: @KCambronAuthor | Instagram: kristycambron
Pinterest: KCambronAuthor | Web: KristyCambron.com | TheGROVEstory.com 

The Ringmaster's Wife 
(coming June 7, 2016)
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