Snow. The evil white stuff that falls from the sky sometime between October and April if you live in Erie, PA. The pretty fluffy stuff that coats the ground and tastefully accentuates the outside of buildings. Everyone has mixed feelings about snow.

As I’m writing this article, the first major snow of the year is falling. I can tell it’s major snow since it’s actually falling and sticking at school, and not just at my house (which is located in a notoriously snowy area). I’m wearing my winter coat and boots for the first time all year, since the forecast for the day is all snow. It’s now officially winter in Erie.

I remember last year at this time it was very warm out, so much so that on my last day of finals when I went to turn in a paper, all I wore outside was a flannel. I didn’t even bring my winter coat back with me after Thanksgiving break. The year before that, I remember there being a freak snowstorm in November and it took us over an hour to get home; the roads were so bad because no one was prepared for the storm. So Erie's snowfall can fluctuate from year to year. We might actually have a white Christmas this year; who knows?

There’s just something about snow that gets people talking. All of a sudden there’s something exciting to talk about when you’re discussing the weather. You can compare your commute or your walk and how many times you almost slipped or how cold the wind was on your face. You don’t get that when it’s raining; the only thing that might compare would be if it was really hot for a long time. There’s also the constant complaining about bad drivers and the constant watching of whether school or activities will be cancelled.

Snow can be good. There’s a good side to everything, even the things that are easy to get pessimistic about. The snow covers the bare trees and dying, damp grass and makes everything look so alive, even if everything is dead. And snow comes in the wintertime, which means it’s almost time for Christmas. Plus, there’s nothing you can do to change it. You can move somewhere else, and that’s about it. (Although, even Hawaii got hit with snow this year so no place is truly safe!)

Of course, after the first snow, and especially after Christmas, it becomes kind of monotonous and boring. It’s a slushy reminder of how cold it is and that spring and summer is so far off. It’s always cold, and it’s past cute and seasonal when you have to start bundling and layering when you’re inside. But you know what? Despite being a usually cold person, I don’t mind the snow. Not all the time, especially now when it’s gentle and pretty and makes me think of Christmas. My tune will change in a few weeks, of course, but for now, I’ll just say I’m glad I live in a place where I can see the changing of the seasons.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!