Nana provides us all with chapels of our own – for every religion, faith and creed.

Storms don’t usually disappear overnight.

I was reminded of this at dawn today as I wandered the nearby foothills to witness the aftermath of yesterday’s blizzard.

Instead of the sight of a snow-covered landscape glowing in a warm dawn’s light, I found myself in the middle of a snow-covered landscape shivering in the grey light of storm clouds that were hesitant to move on…

But as I struggled through the deep snow, muttering to myself and dreaming of a hot cup of coffee, I came to realize that much of life is spent waiting for storms to pass – and if you focus only on the future clearing skies, you miss out on what the present has to offer.

So even if all it has to offer is blowing winds, snow down your boots and wet socks – these things still mean that you’re alive in this world.

And being alive makes waiting for a storm to pass well worth it.

Today a massive blizzard struck the Rocky Mountains, and trapped most of us indoors to wait out the worst of it.

I found it a good time to make a big batch of homemade bean & ham soup, start a nice fire in the fireplace, and catch up on some reading.

Yet I kept finding myself drawn to the windows to watch the storm raging outside. The tree limbs swaying in the wind – their dark shapes making amazing patterns against the waves of blowing snow.

Nana offers small gifts in even the worst conditions.