Like A Child

/ Ann Coleman

Sometimes I enjoy a good snowfall.  My living room has a gas fireplace and a large picture window, which makes it especially nice for sitting in a cozy armchair and watching the big fluffy snowflakes gently falling to the ground.  It’s an incredibly relaxing experience, and almost always leaves me with a lovely feeling of comfort and peace.

Unfortunately, not all Winter weather delivers in the comfort and peace department.  Early last week, the local weather forecasters predicted what could be our worst snow storm in over a decade, if not a century.  Depending on which TV channel I watched, I learned that we could get up to four hours of freezing rain, followed by several inches of sleet, topped off with twenty-plus inches of snow.  Like almost everyone else, I dutifully trotted off to the grocery store to stock up on supplies.  Then I checked that my emergency stash of candles and flashlight batteries was adequate and asked my husband to make sure we had gasoline for the generator,  (And tried not to worry too much when he told me he wasn’t even sure our generator still worked.)

When it finally hit, the Winter storm wasn’t nearly as bad as predicted.  We managed to skip the freezing rain altogether, and had only about an inch of sleet.  Sleet can be dangerous, but it’s not nearly as slippery as ice and it also doesn’t bring down power lines.  And while we did get plenty of snow, eight inches is a lot better than twenty.

I was happy that we were spared the “storm of the decade,” but I can’t say that I managed to enjoy this snowfall.  We never did get big fluffy snowflakes, but we did get lots of wind, very cold temperatures and stiff muscles from shoveling our sidewalks and driveway.  And I can only say that I must have had my mind on other things when I stocked up on groceries, because once we were snowed in I discovered that I was missing a few essentials.  (It’s really hard to make tuna casserole without tuna, or home-made pizza without cheese.)  As far as I was concerned, this snowstorm was just something to be endured.

981CD5CD-BD3A-43F4-BD75-A6FA657AC41ABut then I started getting texts from my daughter, complete with pictures of my grandson out enjoying the snow, as children do.  He went sledding, built a snowman and even “helped” with the shoveling.  At four, he’s far too young to listen to weather reports, but he sure knows how to have fun in the snow.  And thankfully, that reminded me that not everyone saw the recent snowfall through my jaded eyes.

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I hope I can always remember just how much it helps to see the world from someone else’s point of view now and then.  I hope I can remember that what’s an inconvenience to me might also my granddaughter’s first chance to play in the snow.  Because sometimes, all we need to do to brighten our mood is try to see things through the eyes of a child……

79 thoughts on “Like A Child”

  2. Good piece Ann. We would all be better off if we looked at things in a more childlike manner. We often panic over something that “might” happen”, rather than simply adapting to what “does” happen. And in our panic, we can forget or do things. What is it they say? Go with the flow. Stay well. Allan

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    • I think that’s what happened to me in my grocery shopping. I was so focused on breakfast foods and snacks that when it came time to prepare dinner (and my husband is still limited on what he can eat), I had to be pretty creative with what I had on hand! Less panic, more going with the flow is what is needed….

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  4. One thing the weather makes clear is that we can only prepare, and never control. The great thing is that adult preparation makes child-like enjoyment possible. Once all the tasks are done, we’re free to enjoy what comes — except for the shoveling or cleaning up the flooding, of course!

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  7. Beautiful insight, Ann! A good reminder to try to view not stress about things we can’t control and make the most of any situation. ❤️

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  8. I remember planning for days how to get to work when snow was predicted. Even though I don’t have to worry about that anymore, I wish I could have channeled the little girl who made snowmen in the front yard instead of stressing about adult worries.

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    • It’s especially hard when you have a job that requires you to be there, no matter what the weather, as I know you did. But yes, it really would be nice to be able to channel the child who simply loves the snow and all the fun it offers more often….

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  9. To be honest, I despise snow, now. I try to keep that EW, NO! quieter on my outside, because my daughter & 3 of her 4 kids absolutely love it. Ah, kids. 😊 (Both your grands are gorgeous, but how did HE get to be 4 already?? And SHE is not a baby anymore!! Wow!)

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  10. I remember playing in the snow – I’d be outside making my menagerie of snow animals for hours! Seems I didn’t think it was very cold as a small child. Now in my 60s I think it very cold and totally miserable to attempt a snowman!

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  12. Such a good reminder, to be childlike, to look at things from someone else’s point of view. Children so often show us what is really important, don’t they?
    Lovely post.

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  13. Ann, your granddaughter’s expression says it all! 😀 Her absolute concentrated wonder is fantastic and yes, a reminder for us all to tap into the child within us. Yet, even as your grandson rollicks in snow I agree it can also cause trouble for others. I’m glad you escaped the worst of the weather and are safe. Here it’s been a very mild winter … so far. A few days of frost, a couple of opportunities to enjoy a lunch outside, then rain! Snow is beautiful but has a habit of crippling the U.K. on the few seldom occasions we see any!

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    • We were very lucky here, as some areas got a lot more snow than we did, and there were ice storms to the south of us which meant lots of people lost power (especially hard during really cold or hot weather.) But yes, for my grandson, the snow was just there to enjoy and he certainly did! That’s what I like about seeing things from someone else’s perspective, adult or child: it allows us to realize that there’s always two sides to the coin, you know? Thanks for your comment!

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  16. Children indeed see the world differently as they have adults to do all the planning and keep them safe. I lived for snow when I was a kid. We get snow so infrequently down here, that if it does snow, the high school kids are let out of class to play in it.

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    • That’s actually nice, that they let the kids out to enjoy the snow! But you’re right that part of the reason kids are so open to the wonder is that they don’t have to do the practical stuff. Still, I think it is good for those of us who do have to plan and work to hang on to a bit of their perspective too. It keeps a good balance, I think.

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  19. Ann, I loved this post so much. I have often said, we would all benefit from seeing the world a little more through children’s eyes. A few weeks ago I picked my 5 year old granddaughter up to help out as, at that point, our schools here were once again doing school virtually due to Covid. Parents are stressed to the max & I wasn’t having a particularly stellar day. On the drive back to my house, I asked my granddaughter how virtual school had gone that morning & she explained that she was “friend of the day” that day which meant she got to pick the dance party music (her teacher was doing little dance party breaks to get the kids moving for a few moments) and because the other friend of the day was absent, she actually got to pick the dance party music two times. This was followed by, “Grandma, this is my luckiest day ever!” A huge smile came across my face & any stress I was feeling just melted away. Kids have a way of just putting things in perspective some days!💕

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    • They really do! When the pandemic first started, I was grateful to be able to spend time caring for my grandson while his daycare was closed because spending my days with him helped me forget all the craziness going on around me. Children don’t worry about “the big picture”……they just deal with what is right in front of them and the joy they can get from it is catching!

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  20. Your grandchildren look so cute enjoying the snow to the core. They are privileged in their little worlds where they don’t have to worry about the possibly worst winter of the century. Someday they’ll grow up and step into the worrying shoes of the grown ups. At the same time, we have lost our abilities to be super excited by ordinary things. I trust each of us is doing our role.

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    • Thank you! And you’re right, children don’t have to worry about all the stuff that adults do. I think that’s why it’s refreshing to spend a little time with them, as entering their mindset, even for just a little while, gives us a much-needed break. It also reminds me that different people see things differently, even as adults. But I agree that adults can’t “see things through the eyes of a child” all the time. We do have our role to play, and our responsibilities to fulfill.

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  21. Your pre-storm preparation list is excellent. If more people would think ahead, there would be less problems when the weather takes a turn for the worse. We have a natural gas generator (because home heating in our part of the world is natural gas. We also have a diesel generator because the previous owner of our house was a ‘belt and suspenders’ kind of person!

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    • That sounds like a great idea, Margy! We got our generator years ago, when we lost power for five days in the middle of a heatwave in July. Preparing for storms does make coping for them much easier…which means we really need to check out our generator and make sure it still works before we actually need it!

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    • That they do! We all enjoy the beautiful days, but children know how to enjoy the days we’re not so fond of as well: the snowy ones, the rainy ones, even the super-hot ones if there’s a pool handy!

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  23. Since we can’t control the weather, we might as well roll with the punches, Ann. That’s something kids seem to do naturally that we adults seem to have forgotten! I’m glad to hear you didn’t get the miserable conditions that were forecast — and that your grands got a chance to enjoy the snow.

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    • I think the weather teaches me just how much I’m not in control, and that’s a good thing. And I’m also very grateful that our storm was much less than predicted. I know we were lucky, because areas to the south of us got the ice, and areas to the north got a lot more snow. Thanks for your comment!

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  24. It is a wonderful thing to look at the world through the eyes of a child. Everything is ‘new’. They tend to live in the moment and really appreciate life as it happens. Sometimes, if we can put our worries aside for a bit and focus on the present, we appreciate the moment as well. You are right…it is all in the way we look at the world…our perspective means everything! As adults, there are so many things we have to think about and plan ahead for…but giving ourselves some of those worry-free happy moments is so worth it.

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    • Exactly, Linda! As adults, we do have to prepare for problems and be responsible caretakers, but it is so refreshing to see things as a child does once in a while. It’s the break we need, and the reminder that people really do see things differently. It seems to me that we forget that a lot, especially these days where we almost consider it an insult when someone disagrees with us. I’m so grateful that my grandchildren live nearby, as my life is enriched when I spend time with them!

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    • No adulting isn’t always fun, that’s for sure! I don’t mind a quick snowfall that melts in a day or two, but I also dread ice storms as they are dangerous for everyone. That’s why I appreciate the chance to see things from a child’s point of view now and then!

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    • i can top that even tho I’m a kid😅. yes i get that your probably all like: “A kid? on this website?”
      i totally get you! I’m only 12 but I’m righting a book, (that will hopefully get published when finished.🫰) and if you want i could try to share it with you but if not you could visit my… whats it called? oh yeah! my blog😁

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  27. Beautiful post, Ann. I can see how your words resonate by reading all the lovely comments you’ve received. I think accessing our inner child is definitely a way to feel younger. Those days might be gone, but the feelings inside are still there for me. Thank you so much for your inspiration!

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    • I love the way you put that: “Those days might be gone, but the feelings inside are still there…” That is exactly right! Yes, we’re adults now, but we still have the ability to tap into our child-like feelings now and then, and it does us a world of good when we do!

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  28. So true! Children can enjoy the good things, without having any idea about the possible bad things that we worry about. It seems that the weather forecasts are exaggerated more often than not. Or someone gets the worst, but not exactly where we are. But if we did get the most extreme part of a storm and we were not warned, that could be bad.

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    • Yes, I understand why the forecasters seem to tell us the worst case scenario. If they didn’t, and we weren’t able to prepare for the storms, it would lead to so many problems. Getting the chance to stock up and prepare, just in case, is actually good. Plus, we feel lucky when the storm isn’t as bad as predicted!

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  29. Your grandchildren are so cute! I like to see kids enjoying the snow and having fun. A few weeks ago, we had a snowstorm, but no one anticipated it would be so major. The schools were closed after that for a few days since the city could not clear all the pathways due to the amount of snow. Though, my kids had lots of fun playing in the snow.

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    • Thanks, Svet! But I’m sorry that your storm turned out to be worse than anticipated. I think that’s harder than when they get the forecast wrong the other way around. I’m glad you kids enjoyed it though!

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    • It really is, Bev! I think one of the hardest things to remember is that all of us see the world just a little bit differently. Once we can truly embrace that, I think it’s easier for us to be tolerant of those who don’t think and act just like us. And kids are the ones who teach us that the best!

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  34. I’m so glad the storm wasn’t as bad as predicted. Wow, eight inches of snow, though. Living the last number of years in hot climates, I’m no longer used to the snow world, but I do remember having a lot of fun with my brothers growing up; sledding, building snow men, and all the rest. Your grandchildren are so big, and adorable of course. Seeing life through the wonder of a child’s eyes is certainly a better way to live! Lovely post, Ann.

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    • Thanks so much, Brenda! Snow is fun to look at and play in, but it does wreak havoc with people’s plans. But even when I’m annoyed or disappointed due to snow, I try to remember how much I loved it when I was a kid and seeing how my grandkids love it really helps with that. Their innocent wonder is so nice!

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  35. Perfect post, Ann! The innocence of children, with no preconceived ideas of what is good or bad…they just live life in the moment and explore the world with unjaded eyes! Yes, to see the world through the eyes of a child can immediately bring us back to that innocence and allow us to see life from a different angle. And that angle has a whole lot to do with faith, I think.
    I read your post on your blogging anniversary and, I too, resonate with so much of your experienc. The funny part was that even though friends and family did not read my posts, they couldn’t wait to tell me that I better be careful of the strangers I was connecting with on the internet because they were probably fakes! My experience, of course, is the complete opposite! I have met incredible souls and made lifelong connections in this blogging community and I am full of Blessitude! I count you in that cherished community and I thank you for your honest, authentic soul that shines through your words🙏
    May the week ahead be filled with love and light 💜

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    • You know, I was afraid of interacting with others on the internet too, for the reasons your friends and family gave. But with very few exceptions, I have found the people I’ve met in the blogging world to be kind, intelligent and supportive. Connecting with them has been a blessing for sure! (And thank you for being one of those people!!!) Keep on blogging, Lorrie!

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