Gastonia Times

A few weeks ago, the Abbey decided to close its campus at noon to allow faculty and staff to return home before an anticipated winter storm. Meteorologists had predicted significant snowfall for the first time in over two years, raising concerns about road safety.

As I drove home, I noticed the sky was heavy with clouds. After arriving home, reheating my lunch, and settling down to work, I looked up to see it was snowing.

For adults, snow often brings a mix of feelings compared to childhood memories. As children, snow meant playtime and unexpected days off from school. It was a time for hot cocoa, backyard adventures, and sledding. However, as adults, we face heating costs, driving hazards, and disruptions to our schedules.

Despite these adult concerns, watching the snowfall after such a long time served as a reminder to pause and embrace moments of joy. Stepping outside to catch a snowflake brought back that sense of wonder. It highlighted the importance of enjoying life's spontaneous festivals that aren't marked on any calendar. This sentiment echoes G.K. Chesterton's words: “An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered; an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered.”