We received the lightest of snow dustings Saturday morning as part of a messy winter weather system expected to bring in freezing rain, then dump a couple of inches of regular ol’ cold rain, followed by a blast of super cold air. This system has morphed over the past few days from up to a foot of snow, followed by some ice, to no snow and up to an inch of ice, to a thankfully much less dramatic (and dangerous) mix of rain and freezing rain with only minor ice accumulations where I live. (Other areas have not been so fortunate and I’m praying for the ice to melt quickly and for power restoration be swift in coming!)

My kids heard about the possibility of snow and immediately became excited, dreaming of sledding in the backyard, building a snowman, and sipping hot cocoa with marshmallows when they came back inside. I prepped them for a letdown as the forecast shifted and simply because that is most often our reality – our part of southeastern Tennessee is known as the place where snow comes to die. That’s honestly only a slight exaggeration. Every winter, we watch a system develop, only to see our area denied snow, even if it goes all around us. Some call it a “snow dome.” We occasionally pick up snow, but not often, and usually not much.

At any rate, I began preparing my kids for the disappointment that usually follows snow forecasts for our area while assuring them that we could still have some hot cocoa. We would most likely still be homebound trying to avoid ice. Despite the bleak chance of seeing any snow, I prayed a few times that God would allow my kids to see some snow, even if just for a few minutes. It didn’t even have to stick to the ground. They just needed to see a few legitimate flakes fall.

We went to bed not expecting to see any actual snow on the ground (maybe some sleet) at any point in the two-day weather event. When my husband awoke early Saturday morning, he went to the bathroom, climbed back in bed and whispered, “It’s snowing.” I thanked God that my kids would see some snow after all, even as I drifted back to sleep.

I heard their excited cries when they woke and eagerly came out to check out the window. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. My 7-year-old daughter happily declared, “Thank you, God, for snow!” I silently thanked Him again myself.

I’ll admit, with so little snow on the ground, it can briefly seem like more trouble than it is worth to help everyone into their snow/winter weather gear for just a few minutes outside in what most people would consider too little snow to play in. But I knew the work would be worth it, even for a few minutes of pure, unbridled joy for them. This may be the only snow we get this year. I hope it isn’t. I hope we do get a good one for a fun snow day, but that’s not guaranteed. I didn’t want to let it slip through our fingers.

I did that once. A few years ago, we had a little light morning snow, which produced a little dusting on the ground and I decided, “We’ll just wait until it stops snowing and then go out.” I selfishly didn’t want to rush everyone out the door after breakfast. I wanted snow play to fit in the day on my timetable. Well, as often happens around here, the day began to warm sooner than I expected and the snow quickly switched to rain. We went out for a few minutes, but that was it. The snow began to melt and we couldn’t stay out in the cold rain. Opportunity lost. The kids were disappointed and I deeply regretted not seizing the moment while I could. I determined never to miss another one.

So now when it snows, even if it just looks like a light powdered sugar sprinkle on the ground, we go out in it. Do I always want to? No. Left to my own desires I would prefer to curl up under a blanket on the couch with a warm drink and a book. (If it’s only a light dusting. If there’s more, my ideal would be to play in it, then come inside and reach for the blanket, decaf coffee, and book.) Is it inconvenient? Sometimes. I don’t know how northern mamas keep up with all the winter gear all the time — and the extra time it adds to getting out the door. (And all that extra laundry!) But is it worth it? Absolutely. I’ve learned not to worry about the time spent trying to find hats and how quickly the mittens will inevitably fall off my toddler’s hands – or all the laundry it will produce. Laundry and dishes always will be waiting. The snow and the children won’t. Embrace the mess and the moment.