Peeking Grass

There’s been quite a bit of snow and sleet visiting Richmond, Virginia lately. Of course, I welcome the silently falling white crystals because for some reason, it lightens my mood and helps me feel optimistic. I’m almost like a child when I see snow and even feel like squealing with delight.

Most of the time I contain myself.

Mom, my sister and I have always lived within thirty minutes of each other except for about a year when I went to a prestigious university located in beautiful snowy mountains and when we were all making our pilgrimage from Texas to Virginia. The older I get, the more thankful I am that we live close to each other.

My sister is four years younger and I can remember everything about her being young. I desperately wanted a sibling and when Audrey was born, I felt that my sister was my baby no matter what anyone else believed or said. Mom and Dad didn’t mind and even let me name her, so I really felt bonded.

I remember the first time Audrey saw snow. It was a sunny day and the snow had been falling for hours and was several feet deep. I was ecstatic! Mom bundled us up in our coats so that we could play in the fluffy flakes.

Audrey wore a brown plaid coat with a hat that framed her rosy pink chubby cheeks. Her big brown eyes were in awe at the vast white that covered our yard. At the edge of the patio, the roof had slightly blocked the falling snow so grass could be seen peeking out of the whiteness.

Audrey was terrified of the grass!

She screamed and cried. I was baffled, but thought she was cute even when she cried. I was a very skinny child, but that didn’t stop me from picking up the chubby little bundle and walking into the snowy yard with her. Her face pressed against mine and her silky blond hair tickled my nose. I desperately wanted to scratch the itch it created on my nose, but I didn’t dare set her down in the snow yet. I could feel the heat from her smooth, baby face as she rested it on my freckled one. I loved her so much at that moment. It was life changing and was etched in my memory forever.

I had only walked a few steps away from the patio, but the snow was much deeper. I encouraged Audrey to reach out and touch the cold, white flakes. Her big brown eyes searched mine and then she leaned over slightly to touch the snow. Her lips made a little “o” and her eyes opened even wider in excitement.

When I ran outside to take pictures of the glittering flakes in the bright sunshine this week, I immediately recognized the familiar sight of the grass peeking through the snowflakes that were softly laying on the ground and immediately thought of Audrey.