The snowstorm forecast for most of the States this Christmas was on my mind at bedtime. Before going to sleep, I dug up an old book, Snowflake Bentley, Man of Science, Man of God. Wilson Bentley (1865-1931) earned the name "Snowflake". His lifelong calling to record the beauty and precision of snowflakes provides us with a lasting legacy of 5,800 striking photographs of snowflakes. Nature adorns herself in jewels of frost, and Tiffany's, and other artisans, have patterned jewelry and art from Snowflake's exquisite collection. A musician and farmer, multi-talented, he wrote scientific papers for the Weather Bureau, and traveled the world, to lecture and share his beautiful photos with others.
He learned that no two snowflakes were ever alike. "Each snowflake is as different from its fellow as we human beings are from our fellows." Bentley told his mother one evening.
"But the comparison changes there. For each snowflake, if allowed freedom to develop alone, is perfect according to its individual plan. It is one of nature's miracles."
He also discovered that to be
perfectly symmetrical, snowflakes must be outside the range of influence
of other snowflakes. When two snowflakes strive equally to occupy the
same place at the same time, neither can have it, and both will be
imperfect. A lesson we can all take to heart.
It turns out, snowflakes do not bloom into full beauty at once. They
grow, beginning with a tiny nucleus, and developing around this nucleus a
geometrical pattern of amazing regularity. He found that they grow in
changing habits. "The finest snowflakes were not the largest." Another lesson on being patient with own blossoming, and remember that bigger isn't always the best.
As you know, one thing leads to another. After reading about Snowflake Bentley, the next morning I remembered a symmetrical rhinestone snowflake ornament packed away.
Synchronicity was at play. The snowflake search uncovered an old blue folder in the closet. And, I'd found a special angel in the snow; a snapshot of mom long before I was born.
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Rae Karen
