It was a world faded to grey, bled of colour. She stared out at the bleached landscape, occasional black accents breaking up the endless sea of snow, and sighed.
Tree branches were coated. No longer bare, but clothed in robes of white. It was quiet; sounds hushed and muted, grey to the ears as well as the eyes. This was a desolate place; beautiful, freezing. Stunning to all her senses.
The skies were heavy; there was more to come. After three storms, the snow was piled high. It didn’t seem possible that there was any left to fall.
Her thoughts were broken by the sound of laughter. Her children felt differently about this frozen land. Despite the cold toes, the icy fingers and the frozen noses; their giggles echoed and brought colour.
Rosy cheeks, smiling faces, full of joy.
They had the sledges out again, her eldest guiding his younger brother to the best slopes. Taking care that he didn’t go too far, too fast. Their younger sister following along behind, trying her best to keep up.
They didn’t see inconvenience, irritation, danger. They saw potential. Snowmen to make, snow to paint, igloos to build.
As the snow began to fall again, shrieks of delight replaced the giggles. Tongues out, catching snow flakes; their faces glowed.
She knocked on the window, beckoning them in. It was time to bring that glow inside, to chase away the chill that had seeped into her bones.
She looked again at the blanket of white; it sparkled if you looked closely.
You can find this weeks #ThePrompt linky here. I do hope this week’s prompt inspired you; I look forward to reading your posts.
This is gorgeous and it takes me back to when I was a child and loved the snow. As you know, I’m far too grumpy to appreciate the stuff now lol
Fab post, Sara X
The last couple of lines are so beautiful. You can see beauty in everything if you look through the eyes of your child. This sounds like fiction, but I have a sneaking suspicion it is based on real-life x
A lovely read. Snow is just so exciting for kids. I used to love sledging down hills at top speed with my sister! Snow now though just stresses me out as i hate driving in it. Luckily we ve not had any yet, the kids though are gutted about this.
You paint a lovely picture with your words. Is it based on your own experiences at the moment? We haven’t had the white wash this year, only a few flurries. I always think it looks so beautiful, but the novelty soon wear off and after a few days it’s such hard work!
This is a lovely piece. Thanks for linking up with #FridayFiction.
Oh, this is so lovely! You really capture the quiet hush of a snow covered landscape. I am a newly winter convert, and yet still, I have to remind myself to see the beauty and the adventure of it because my go-to response is annoyance and well, getting the shivers. Thanks for this wonderful prompt! I really enjoyed writing mine :)
I like the way you convey the different emotions of the children and the adult about snow. Beautifully written. And you’ve had quite a lot of recent experience of this in Boston!
This is lovely! Absolutely accurate too in terms of the way kids see snow. We’ve only had little bits over here but my boys were out before sun rise last week before school determinedly building a snowman with the small amount of snow we had! #fridayfiction
No wonder your story is snow related following the week you’ve had. This is a lovely story, beautiful read and I think you’re really encapsulated how the children view being & enjoying the snow; total enjoyment compared to the adult restraints we put on our brains when it comes to snow!
Lovely story and your last line is just glittery!
#ThePrompt xx
I love the contrasting responses to the snow that you’ve incorporated here – it’s fascinating how the same landscape can appear so different through another pair of eyes. I still have that childish obsession with snow, but I think that’s because we so rarely get it here! x
Lovely writing – so very evocative
Such a beautiful description of Winter time . Cold biting snow but full of joy and playfulness too. I can feel the warmth in your writing. So please to have found your blog via #FictionFriday Looking forward to more of your work :) Bonjour from another UK ex-pat (but in France)
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You’re sure that’s fiction? Sounds beautifully real to me :) x
Lots of emotion in this piece. I’m glad the kids’ happiness brought your character back to happy :-) is the snow on its way out yet? Must be so tough. Sending warm hugs xxx
Beautifully written. I love the snow. Like the tension created and the underlying danger.
Beautiful piece Sara – really captures the difference between how a parent and a child can view continual snow and the tiredness that comes towards the end of winter when spring still feels too far off. I love the way you try to look through your children’s eyes too and the last line is just beautiful.
Oh Sara you really need to write your own book someday. I bet it would be a page turner. I love this and your prompt. If only I had more hours in the day to join in bless. Thank you ever so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
This is so lovely Sara. I’ve been thinking about you lately and wondering how you’re dealing with all the snow. We have friends in New Hampshire who’s baby is due any day, and I think the piles and piles of snow and the storms are making them nervous. Well okay, I think they’d be nervous about becoming parents anyway, but I get the impression this level of wintryness isn’t helping… Good for you for trying to see the beauty of it x
Beautiful post. Takes me back to when I was young but also Lil G and how he reacts to the snow now x
Beautifully put Sara, I can imagine the mixed emotions of such weather and think I’d be feeling very similarly. I thank goodness for the children on so many occasions for keeping my eyes open to the colour x
Oh Sara this is lovely, and because I’ve met you I can imagine your lovely accent as I read it! I love the last line. Beautiful xx #prose4t
Beautiful! I have to be careful not to spoil snow for my daughter with my moaning about how cold it is or about getting places. This is a really good reminder about the excitement and fun to be found xx
What a beautiful short story – it really captures the magic of snow when you are children.
This is so beautifully written – and I can imagine it is just what you are feeling with all of that snow you have been having. You write so eloquently and I always enjoy reading. Thank you for linking to Prose for Thought x