 |
| Mobile, Al Tree lighting, 2012 |
Last night was the Christmas tree
lighting in downtown Mobile and my first time to attend. As soon as I stepped out of the car it was
evident I was in for a treat. The happy
sounds of children laughing and playing permeated the air and the background
Christmas music from the singer on the bandstand made the perfect holiday
setting. To the north side of the park,
in the glow of the gas lanterns I could see perfect snowflakes floating in the
air. Wait! ‘Floating? Snowflakes don’t float!’ Yet these beautiful little ice specimens
rotated in a circular motion, as though some invisible force was playing a game
called ‘Keep the Snowflakes off the Ground!’
 |
| Mobile, Al - Bienville Square 2012 |
There were extra lights brought in for the
sole purpose of lighting up the snow as it fell out of the ‘
sky’.
I thought back to 2010 when Mobile County got its first snowfall in
nearly thirty years. The day before,
our city proved faithful once again by calling every home (see my post ‘
The City Calling’) to let us know school
would be cancelled the next day due to the impending snow. But it wasn't because they were afraid to
drive in it, or didn't have the equipment; it was to give people the
opportunity to enjoy it! I remember many
happy friends driving thirty miles to show their kids the snow – which never
really accumulated. I stayed home –
fearing I would not reach my life goal, which is to never see snow again. But seeing snow last night, well, I was
excited!
Like
everyone else I, too, ran over to see it.
Not just to see snow, but I wanted to see
fake snow! I had never seen
fake snow before, nor have I ever had
the privilege of
controlling the
snow.
I liked that idea! The temperature outside was just cool
enough to enhance the atmosphere without that obnoxious cold blowing straight
into your bones. The ‘
snow’ pirouetted in the air while
children danced around the cold flakes and adults happily took pictures. The music continued and in the center of the
square, just below the band-stand, the Brandi Brown’s Ballet school presented
several performances with ballerinas dressed in burgundy-red Santa dresses. Next were
a few food stands and a couple of other vendors. I thought of several conversations I have had
over the past couple of years with southerners who had never seen snow before and
could not fathom why I never wanted to see it again. When I would explain what life was like
living in the Snowbelt, their faces would go from a dreamy nostalgia to
wide-eyed shock.
They
held images of an idealistic life where everyone in the north needs no more
winter clothing than cute, stylish (often high healed) boots, cardigan
sweaters, scarves, and knit caps, and their evenings and weekends are spent happily
frolicking in the snow - that is only about four inches deep - making snow
angels and snowmen. Then they go inside and drink hot cocoa, cappuccino,
or Brandy by the fireplace while big, white, fluffy snowflakes gently fall
outside the windows and the surrounding landscape, like a framed portrait, dons
a cotton-like blanket that drapes off of rooftops and trees, with a finishing touch
of icicles. Oh! And it often culminates in a romantic
lovemaking session between lovers of every race, color and creed! Now, I don’t want to wreck their sweet image
but I wasn't going to lie to them when they asked why I never wanted to see
snow again.
 |
| Winter in Syracuse! Yuk! |
A cold house in Alabama is no different than a
cold house in New York. But sitting in a
freezing house with chilling drafts coming through the windows, sometimes the
memories come in, unsolicited, as though parading across the room begging for
my recollection; those things that northerners take for granted and know no
different. Things like realizing that my pants from the
knees down are no longer wet for five months out of the year from walking in
the snow, or the stomping sounds that each person makes when they come into the
house and stomp the snow off their shoes.
I could always identify
who
was coming through the door by the sound of their stomps regardless of where I
was in the house. And then there was the
snow that melted on the floor near the front door and throughout the house that
fell off our pants as we walked, and we’d step in the water in sock feet, then either
changing or wearing wet socks for the
next couple of hours. There is the
layering of clothes; sweaters, coats, socks, and boots, just to go outside, which
make just leaving the house a chore. And
shoveling our way up and down the sidewalk when leaving or returning home, and
the white bumps that line the streets – one of which was our own car - and
rotating our cars on odd/even days to accommodate snowplows were all more work
just to get through the day. Then there
was the driving and not being able to see beyond my own hand, hoping that the
car lights I was following didn't end up driving off a bridge because often,
when one car goes off the road, ten or twenty more follow. And on the icy roads, inevitably, there is always
some idiot who thinks they are immune to the laws of physics until they spin
out, hitting every car in their path.
Like
most people from the north (though I wasn't native to the north), when I
contemplated moving, I thought I would miss the seasons. I didn't think there was such thing as
Christmas without snow. But having
experienced life in both climates, the trade-off is far worth the quality of life in
return! Coming and going is simple. No shoveling leads to more time for the people
and activities that I love. Lower cost of heat and supplies means more money for 'real' life. Sometimes,
when I see a person acting ‘not-so-nice’ or complaining about Mobile (which is
far and few between), my first thought is, “
Well,
have I got a place for you!” I secretly wish they could be banished to
the Snowbelt for at least one winter because I’m certain they would come
screaming back in repentance, recognizing what a great life they have here and never
misbehave again.
 |
| North Pole in Mobile, Al |
There are people who thrive on the winter
life. They snowmobile, ski, and even
make a living from the winter months.
And every so often, I run into someone here who swears they too would
thrive in that type of climate and to them I say, “
Then do it! Why put off living
the life you would love?” But there is something about fake
snow. It is beautiful, it sets the mood
and it makes people happy. It brings
about the desired results, which is to see snowflakes flying through the air
when the world is lit up for Christmas and holiday music is playing in the
background. And when we are done, we can
turn it off. Yup! Just turn it off! I like that!
Yes! I have found my paradise!
.jpg)
