I love shovelling snow.
There’s no satisfaction quite like that of a well-cleared driveway or sidewalk. It’s a task with a visible, measurable beginning and end, which is pretty rare in my world. And … with a little extra effort, I can also easily serve a neighbour or two, clearing some of their snow along the way, and I like that.
I miss shovelling snow in condo life. One of my neighbours and I were apparently raised by the same father, so even though a company is hired to do our parking lot, we still dutifully march out after a snowfall to clear off our own cars and tidy up the bits of snow around our spots. We text each other and do it together, if possible - it’s a shovelling party.
Last week, while we were out there, a third woman came out and offered to help, so we added her spot into the mix. And while the three of us were working, a fourth drove in, with her sleeping baby in the back seat, and so we did her spot too, and then we did the walkway.
And while we shovelled, we talked and laughed. Not a phone or laptop in sight. No Zoom meetings. Just four women, taking a break from our individual and busy lives, to cheerfully do some physical and satisfying work together.
And then it was suppertime, and we drifted away, one at a time, each back to our own condo units and lives.
Until the next snowfall.
And when it comes, may the temperatures be mild, the wind gentle, and the snow fluffy and light.
And may you and your neighbours experience the joyful pause of a shovelling party.
I love this. It's the everyday sacred and holy moments.
I live in hamilton ontario canada and in a apartment building so I dont have to shovel snow either