Member-only story
Remembering Not Everyone Enjoys The Snow
Originally published at https://tavian.blog
Whilst on my usual Sunday walk, a cold breeze overtook the atmosphere, and a drop of snow fell on my face. I had no idea it would snow today, but I was about 15 minutes away from home and realised I was about to get caught in it. I quickly put up my hood and within the next 5 minutes, it was snowing heavily.
Not completely lost of Christmas spirits, I began to hum the Christmas classic “Let It Snow” by Dean Martin. However, it was at this point I realised not everyone is singing in the snow like I was. On the news this morning, there were reports of hundreds of thousands of students across the UK being made homeless due to COVID-19.
I could sing through the snow because I knew I had a warm house to return to. However, for many, this was not the case, and the snow was not delightful at all.
For a short moment, I acknowledged that I take many things for granted just like everyone else. The very fact that I can see snow as a delight puts me in a position of warmth, security and safety that not everyone is in.
On my way home, I experienced a deep contradiction within myself. In one sense, I was saddened thinking about the many students who will have to shiver themselves to sleep tonight. But in another sense, I was grateful that I had warmth and could see the snow not as a risk, but as a pleasure. Overwhelmed with gratitude I walked with a smile all the way back home.
Gratitude in the small things leads to great happiness.
Tavian Jean-Pierre
Originally published at https://tavian.blog on January 31, 2021.
