It snowed yesterday.
I know for those of you who feel like you have been digging out of snow since Hurricane Sandy, this seems like an ordinary weather activity and nothing that would be particularly blog worthy. But I live in a section of the country where the South meets the MidWest in a crinkle of hills that only few people refer to as mountains. Here, snow could mean 2 inches, 2 feet, or 2 years without any accumulation to speak of. Recently, it's been the later.
That's why, when it started snowing, I went out and grabbed some de-icer. (Oscar puppy's paws get cold in the snow and I would hate to lose any traction we have gained with potty training.) Walking up to the big box store I inwardly laughed thinking about how silly southerners get as soon as they see the first snowflake. "Better go gas up my vehicle and grab some milk and bread in case we get snowed under for the next two weeks."
Yep, I was laughing right up until I started slipping. (As it turns out, my blue suede shoes {no Elvis jokes please} were not made for trekking through the Arctic and they were having a hard time supporting me in the middle of the slushy parking lot.) And as soon as I started slipping I thought, "You've got to get grounded."
I worked in DC for a short stint right after I graduated from college. I left Arkansas on Christmas day and my Southern soul didn't have a clue on how to handle the wintry weather. One particular afternoon, I was slogging home from work and trying to deal with the snowfall that had occurred during the day in my 4 inch stilettos. I had successfully navigated half a block when I hit a spot where I couldn't get any traction.
Nothing.
I was afraid to move forward or back for fear of landing on my face and, to make matters worse, there was a good looking guy 20 feet away in the middle of moving out of his apartment. All I could think is, "Well at least when I fall and break my neck/ have a concussion/ get amnesia, I will at least have someone to call 911."
The look of terror must of have been plastered on my face because the guy quickly threw his box into the trailer and walked over to where I was. He said, "Hold on. Don't freak out," and proceeded to walk behind me and put his hands on my shoulders. (Not going to lie- this is generally the time when I freak out.) He pressed down on my shoulders and said, "Now, walk."
I gingerly did as he instructed and 30 seconds later I was out of the icy patch and thanking him profusely. He explained that, growing up in New Jersey he learned that the added weight of another often improves traction. He recommended I get some better shoes and went on with his packing.
I still think of that occasion even during times when snow is not an issue.
"The addition of another often improves traction. The added weight has a grounding effect."
I'm a dreamer and a maker and a doer and, as such, "grounded" is not a particularly strong word in my vocabulary. It would serve me well to remember in times when I feel myself slipping (either physically or metaphorically) that I need to reach out to someone close to me so they can be the grounding force that I can't always provide for myself.
I've yet to get shoes that are better equipped to handle snow...