It’s April 20, and it’s snowing in Champagne. Big fat juicy snowflakes, and they have even started to stick. Over the hedge, I can see it falling against the backdrop of the distant forest, and the trees are just a grey shadow, and above them the white sky. It reminds me of home, of growing up, and of snow days, my favourite days of all. The world just seems to pause on days like this, and we must too, to watch the gentle beauty of the snow falling. The silence of the snowfall, too, is remarkable, a gentle reminder to be still and listen, to stop and enjoy, as soon it will be over.

Today I lie on the bed in my study to write, smooshed into my big oversized pillow with Miles Davis, Kind of Blue playing. This is it, this is everything I need. Snow outside, warmth inside, music playing, and writing. This is the continuation of the best parts of life, of living, that my parents created for me, this is why they bought the land, built the house, took a chance to create the life they wanted, not the life that they were told they should have. This simple beauty, simple pleasure, warm cocoon is all I need in life, besides food, family, and love. This they taught me, this they gave me, and for that I am forever thankful.

The snow is slowing down now, and who knows, it may be sunny again by the afternoon, for this is how the springtime weather works here in Champagne, it moves quickly over the plains, and then stops for awhile when it hits the ridge of the Montagne de Reims. It is not a mountain at all really, it’s more of a disruption, made from some sort of eruption, probably two plates hitting each other millions of years ago, or a result of the relieving of pressure from deep below the earth. In its wake it left a miles-long ridge with two sides which are perfect for growing the grapes to make Champagne for the world. Perhaps this happened when the land here was still under water, and part of the sea.

As for now, today, the snow as stopped, the sky is a little brighter, and the distant forest trees are taking on a faint shade of green again. What a beautiful reminder that snowfall was, to take time to just be, to enjoy, to savour the beauty of nature and the quiet aloneness that I have been given this week, to be alone in myself, to be at peace with myself, with my memories but also, and so importantly, in the now. This is the work, to be present, to be ok with what is, to not fight it, to not worry. For whatever has happened and whatever is to come, the world is a beautiful place, right now. Do not miss it, do not fill your head nor your body with worry and sorrow and miss out. Take a snow day, and enjoy, or it too will pass and you will miss out on the peace and quiet joy that is within it.