Here, in the Chicago area, snow has blanketed the ground.  One of the things I love about living in the Midwest, is the change of seasons. Winter gives natives the greatest joy to step outside on the evening of our first fallen snow.

You stand there looking around.  Listening…watching…and waiting.  You gaze at the street lights to figure out which direction the sky is blowing.  The sounds of the night start to become muffled.  The more that it falls, the more quiet it becomes.  The sounds of cars passing by, the tones of the sirens as they rush their injured for help are not heard.

The lights that guided you to safety are lost in a blurr.    Sometimes, you have squint to see in the distance.  Even if you are very still, you can't.  So, you look down at your feet.  Surely you can see your feet!  Although, on some nights, you can't even see the tips of your boots.  They are buried.  Buried beneath the swirling new ground that has fallen below you.

So you slow down.  Knowing you could slip and fall.  You aren't sure what is ahead of you, or what is behind.  You just try to get your footing.  All you can hear is your own heat beating.  All you can see is your smoky breath.  All you can feel is ice cold.

Getting into a vehicle isn't always the best option in storms like this.  You have to rely on too many things to get you to where you need to go, but you aren't sure if you can depend on those things.  Driving on the treacherous roads is not a great idea either.  What if you get stuck?  What if you loose control and you are lost in a ditch with nobody to see or hear you?  You have to assess if it's worth the risk.

Most would find this a frightening experience, but I don't.   The reason is because I don't fear it.  I have lived with it all of my life.  I know how to maneuver and navigate.  I know when it's safe and when it's not.  I know when to stay put and when to forge ahead.  I have had a lifetime of learning.  I have seen others new to this experience and I give them some advice.

If you can see your feet, you can walk.  If you can feel your heart, you are alive.  If you can see the lights, you are not alone.  If you can, stand up on your feet  you can walk.  If you are you can navigate, you know where to go.  If you can hear voices or sounds, your senses will guide you.  If all of your senses are gone, then you must wait.

Oh…the reality of snow storms in the Midwest.  Oh…the reality of sand storms in the Mideast.  Just like them, we are all just lambs.  We are both silenced by the storms we never saw coming.  Silenced by what we must do to survive.  In the end, it is just that. Silenced as we all are…just lambs.

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