Beautiful Silence

About a week before Christmas we received another snowfall (not unlike most of the country). This time the snow began in the evening around 9:00 and continued through most of the night blanketing us with about 4 inches of snow. Not enough to call off school or work, but enough to make driving difficult since my neighborhood had not been plowed by the time I left for work.

Of course this little bit of snow didn't deter me. I've been an Illinois resident all of my life, minus the three and a half years that I lived in Arizona. So with bookts zipped a coat buttoned I stepped outside to warm up my car. All I can hear are the windshield wiper blades of the car next door. I start my car (hubby has already cleaned the snow off the windows because he is such a dear) and I go back inside to wait a few moments.

The time comes for me to get out of the drive and head to work. There is some slipping and slidding and fishtailing all of the way until I hit the main roads. And, more slipping and sliding on the snowpacked roads. However, before I get very far I need to stop for gas. As I stand at the pump and look out onto the highway, cars are backed up waiting for a light, bumper to bumper. There are about four other cars also getting gas. It is a typical morning. And then it hits me. I don't hear anything. Nothing. Nada. It is completely silent. All of that snow muffled the noise.

I've experience this stepping out into my own back yard after a snow fall and it is one of the most wonderful experiences. The new snow, the calmness in the air, the silence, the peace. I never expected to experience the same thing standing at a gas pump. It was a very pleasant way to start the day.

What is your favorite thing about new fallen show.