"The Not-So Lonely Snowflake" by Corin Clougherty '24
Art by Anonymous
It was even more beautiful than I had imagined. Like a plush green blanket, spotted with the occasional blue polka dot. The plush trees and crystal clear waters were a sight for sore eyes. I only wish I had someone to share it all with. As I fluttered down from the fluffy clouds of white and grey, I searched and searched for other snowflakes. However, it seemed that no matter how far I looked, all I could find was hail. I tried to talk to them. Making a futile attempt to get even just a clue as to where my snowflake family had gone, but all I got were empty stares and the occasional dry snicker. Hail had never been known for their friendliness, especially not to outsiders, so I guess I should have been prepared for disappointment.
I was beyond excited to see the Earth. We heard stories all the time back in the clouds. Tellings of all of the different animals, plants, and most exciting of all, Holidays that the humans celebrated. When my parents, brother, and I were told that we would be making our descent at Christmas time, we were beyond excited. It had always been our favorite holiday to learn about. All of the lights and singing. The Christmas trees and gingerbread cookies. I was so looking forward to landing on the soft grass, surrounded by the snowflakes I love, and looking at all of the festivities. I guess the wind had other plans.
I snapped back into reality at this thought. Only to see that I was a mere few feet from the ground, and there wasn’t a single patch of snow for me to land in in sight. I began to panic. If I hit the ground there was no way I would have any chance of finding my family. No chance of experiencing the magic of Christmas with the snowflakes I cared about. Just as I was about to hit the ground, a gust of wind swept me up into its arms, carrying me up and over the trees. I swirled through the air, flying past a forest of dark evergreen and into a village full of cheer, with the smell of peppermint wafting through the air. Each house was adorned with gleaming strands of colorful lights. Beautiful displays of blow up snowmen and reindeer scattered across the yards. There were glowing candy canes lining the roads, seemingly leading to the center of town. I was enchanted by the magic showcased in the world around me, but I couldn’t keep my thoughts from wandering to my family. Did they make it to the ground ok? Were they able to admire and bathe in the holiday cheer we had dreamed of for as long as I can remember? Uncontrollable tears began to roll down my cheeks as I realized that they might not only never get to experience this, but that I might never see them again. All I had ever wanted was to coast through the skies with them by my side, and now I will never get the chance to.
The wind suddenly sped up. Throwing me down the path of candy canes and closer to the town square. I rounded the corner, and was met with the most magnificent thing I could ever hope to see. A huge Christmas tree stood proudly in front of me. It was covered in garland, lights, and a variety of different ornaments. A single star sitting on top that illuminated the night. Then I saw it. Flurries of snow cascading down around me, each flake taking its rightful place on the ground. The tears flowing down my face, changed from those of sadness, to those of pure and utter joy. I was hastily blown directly into the tree, falling on a branch covered in sparkly silver garland. Just as I was beginning to recover from my incredible, saddening, journey, I heard a voice.
“Looks like someone went on a bit of an adventure.”
I whirled around, coming face to face with my mother, father, and of course my little brother. For a moment, I was stunned, but I quickly recovered and quite literally flew into their arms.
“I thought I would never see you guys again.” I choked out through increasingly hard sobs of happiness.
They simply hugged me tighter, as if to say “we aren’t going anywhere”.
We settled in together, sitting on the edge of the branch and overlooking the entire town. We could see for what seemed like miles. Building after building alight with the magic of Christmas. As soft music began to waft through the air, I looked to my little family of snowflakes with a smile and realized that my dream had finally come true.
I was beyond excited to see the Earth. We heard stories all the time back in the clouds. Tellings of all of the different animals, plants, and most exciting of all, Holidays that the humans celebrated. When my parents, brother, and I were told that we would be making our descent at Christmas time, we were beyond excited. It had always been our favorite holiday to learn about. All of the lights and singing. The Christmas trees and gingerbread cookies. I was so looking forward to landing on the soft grass, surrounded by the snowflakes I love, and looking at all of the festivities. I guess the wind had other plans.
I snapped back into reality at this thought. Only to see that I was a mere few feet from the ground, and there wasn’t a single patch of snow for me to land in in sight. I began to panic. If I hit the ground there was no way I would have any chance of finding my family. No chance of experiencing the magic of Christmas with the snowflakes I cared about. Just as I was about to hit the ground, a gust of wind swept me up into its arms, carrying me up and over the trees. I swirled through the air, flying past a forest of dark evergreen and into a village full of cheer, with the smell of peppermint wafting through the air. Each house was adorned with gleaming strands of colorful lights. Beautiful displays of blow up snowmen and reindeer scattered across the yards. There were glowing candy canes lining the roads, seemingly leading to the center of town. I was enchanted by the magic showcased in the world around me, but I couldn’t keep my thoughts from wandering to my family. Did they make it to the ground ok? Were they able to admire and bathe in the holiday cheer we had dreamed of for as long as I can remember? Uncontrollable tears began to roll down my cheeks as I realized that they might not only never get to experience this, but that I might never see them again. All I had ever wanted was to coast through the skies with them by my side, and now I will never get the chance to.
The wind suddenly sped up. Throwing me down the path of candy canes and closer to the town square. I rounded the corner, and was met with the most magnificent thing I could ever hope to see. A huge Christmas tree stood proudly in front of me. It was covered in garland, lights, and a variety of different ornaments. A single star sitting on top that illuminated the night. Then I saw it. Flurries of snow cascading down around me, each flake taking its rightful place on the ground. The tears flowing down my face, changed from those of sadness, to those of pure and utter joy. I was hastily blown directly into the tree, falling on a branch covered in sparkly silver garland. Just as I was beginning to recover from my incredible, saddening, journey, I heard a voice.
“Looks like someone went on a bit of an adventure.”
I whirled around, coming face to face with my mother, father, and of course my little brother. For a moment, I was stunned, but I quickly recovered and quite literally flew into their arms.
“I thought I would never see you guys again.” I choked out through increasingly hard sobs of happiness.
They simply hugged me tighter, as if to say “we aren’t going anywhere”.
We settled in together, sitting on the edge of the branch and overlooking the entire town. We could see for what seemed like miles. Building after building alight with the magic of Christmas. As soft music began to waft through the air, I looked to my little family of snowflakes with a smile and realized that my dream had finally come true.
