A Colorful City: An Old Fashioned Winter

The day had dawned with a bright, February sun set against a powder-blue sky and feathery, white clouds floating high. The normally, colorful city basked in its golden rays. Huge snow banks lined every street and sidewalk.

Matty, a young woman who lived alone, was shocked as she read the morning headlines.

"Another winter tragedy in the city!"

A little while later, she shoveled out the end of her driveway for the third time in three days.

"The snow plows have been really busy this year!" she commented to her elderly neighbor, Frank, who was already out shoveling.

"I don't know where to put all this snow," he replied, as he tried to straighten up. "It too heavy and there is so much of it!"

"There is more on the way, too," she replied.

"That is what I hear."

"Frank, I can help you with it, if it gets to be too hard for you."

A colorful city veiled in freshly fallen snow normally brought out the best and worst in people, as they struggled to dig their way out. For many, the effort of it all just did not seem to be worth it, and they quickly became 'snow birds' heading south for the winter, year after year. For others, heavy snow presented a physical challenge, as shoveling snow was one way to get exercise and get some fresh air in the middle of the winter. Skiers loved the extra snow. Parents with small children struggled with it, while it was exciting for older children who climbed high on the snow banks, or burrowed deep into them, to build snow castles or forts.

Unfortunately, a heavy snowfall is not without tragedy, even in a colorful city. It just created a broader spectrum of color.

"Frank, be careful. A man using a snow blower to clear the end of his driveway was hit by a passing snow plow, last night," cautioned Matty.

"I hear you," he replied, just as a passing snow plow filled in the end of both of their driveways, almost knocking both of them over.

"Not again!"

"Matty, this is a typical, old fashioned winter, one like we used to have when I was a youngster. It is unseasonably cold with heavy snow, as well. The snow always takes its toll."