A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations,

but look what they can do when they stick together!

~Author Unknown

Monday night brought Atchison a gorgeous snow. I was clueless. I had no idea it was snowing until I walked outside at 9:00pm to go to a meeting. I had been inside all afternoon studying for a test and what a beautiful sight it was to walk out of Ferrell Hall and see the huge snowflakes falling gracefully. After our Student Government meeting I rushed back to my room and grabbed my camera. I went back outside and spent about 20 minutes walking around and taking pictures of some of my favorite sights covered in glistening snow. There were several people outside--rolling in the snow, throwing the snow, and enjoying the beauty it brought. I found myself wandering around with my camera sticking out my tongue to catch the snowflakes like I used to when I was little. It was so great just to be out there--I was having such a good time, I didn't even notice the cold. My eyes were wide open, my shoulders dropped in relaxation, and my heart lept for joy at the sight of the glistening gifts that fell before me. I believe I was in Kindergarten when we learned no two snowflakes are ever the same. She said snowflakes were like people, they all may look similar, but no two are ever the same and they are all beautiful the way they are. Mrs. Reidesiel (Mrs. R) was always one of my favorites, she was a gentle and kind soul--she praised all of the snow flakes we made that day, making us feel like we were something special. It is funny---Kindergarten teachers really do make a difference. They hold your first school experience and often, what happens in Kindergarten and your early years of school, determine your outlook on school for the rest of your years. I was lucky--I had a good start.

I started thinking about what Mrs. R had said. She was right---no two people are ever the same. We each carry our own unique hopes, dreams, aspirations, and my favorite, quirks. I have come to love the quirks of the people I know--it truly makes everyone unique. Quirks are certainly not a bad thing, they are things that allow us to truly come to know one another and, often, provide ourselves and others with great stories and laughs, though at times can try one another's patience! I find it funny when people point out my quirks--as humans, we really are weird! (Smile) S. Jeremy Dempsey came and spoke to our Spirituality and Literature class about poetry. During her presentation she said something that just makes my heart smile, I wrote down lots of quotes from her that day, but this particular one stuck out. Sister Jeremy said, "spirituality is being able to laugh and be silly. If you can't laugh at yourself, you'll never find spirituality." I think she hit the nail on the head with that one. Too often we take ourselves too seriously, criticize our own quirks and the quirks of others, when in all reality life is not all serious, as someone once said "no one gets out of it alive." I used to think that because I was a giggly person, and only serious when the occassion called for it, that I was lacking something, lacking a depth, or so others have told me. Sister Jeremy made me realize it's okay to laugh and not take everything so seriously. Its okay to laugh at yourself, to enjoy the random uniqueness we all have. I have a feeling that Mrs. R and Sister Jeremy would get along wonderfully--they are both good souls who understand the depths of laughter. Isn't it funny? When I was 5 I had someone who encouraged me to laugh and appreciated my uniqueness and the uniqueness of all her students and still, at 22, I have another person teaching me that my lesson on snowflakes when I was 5 made me spiritual. Life really is a building block--and I've been lucky to have some wonderful architects to help in my design. What is really cool is when all those quirks come together to create relationships---then the real fullness of spirituality is met.

Picture: This is a statue outside of Ferrell Hall, Scholastica Plaza. It is in dedication for everything the Sisters of Mount Saint Scholasitca have given to the Benedictine College community. I love this area of the Ferrell lawn. It looked especially beautiful with snow surrounding it. It looks to me as if this Sister's hand is reaching out, embracing everyone of the unique snowflakes that falls her way. Just how the Sisters I know do! :0)