Snow Flakes

To the editor:

Reliably, I shovel snow from our long driveway, and common areas, each snowfall. This activity is cathartic for me 98% of the time. I like to do a good job, make sure my work looks “pretty” and helps out the neighbors. I feel an accomplishment, in this age of COVID19.

Fresh air, sparkly snow, beautiful surrounding, sunshine at time, and good exercise. New fallen snow—if not wet—is 95% air. So, it is light, flutters through the air when shoveled, and makes for good exercise. After several hours of grooming the property, endorphins are increased; I’m happy as a clam. I’ve broken a worthwhile sweat, eat like a horse, feel toasty for hours, and sleep like a baby—as the metaphors go.

Recently, as I walked to catch the Sunshine Shuttle—while others were on the road walking, skiing, and dogs playing—I noticed how careful the driver, of the huge snow plow was, as he groomed the roads and passed all of us milling around. Our paths would cross two times. Not only was the driver driving safely, and being polite as he passed people, his work caught my eye.

The driver’s work seemed deliberate, well thought out and—even more so — like a work of art. This, I thought to myself, as I noticed the precision tracks of his turn arounds, at a perpendicular, appearing as a Celtic jewel. How brilliant was this!

I felt inspired to call the Mat-Su Borough, to let the folks there know what a pleasure it was to have this driver working with such skill, and flair, in our neighborhood. I spoke with Nancy, who was a delight and expressed her appreciation for the phone call. Spirits were lifted; we were supporting our community.

We, too, can support our community in helping our elders, and those with medical issues, that may run risks if shoveling snow. Plowed snow increases ten fold in weight. Injuries can be common. Be mindful of berm barriers left in a neighbor’s driveway if using a plow. Some community members may be unable to remove heavy snow. This neighborly gesture will resonate, through our community, as the multitude of shapes of snow flakes.

— Deborah Morel,

Talkeetna