By Glenn Koster
Walking Through Life
Back on Jan. 9 (just a week ago), we had the joy of a fresh snow in Hutchinson. We woke up on Friday morning, and there was snow on the ground. Granted, it was not much, but it was visible on the ground. There was not any on the sidewalks and very little on the streets. It made me stop and think about what I was missing. For many years, I grew up walking in the snow because I grew up in Michigan, where the snow came in December and often stayed until March.
In fact, the last winter that I spent in Michigan was one of the worst snowfalls that I experienced. Called the “Blizzard of 1978” it shut down much of the west side of Michigan. That winter, we were snowed in for a week, got out to get some groceries, and then were snowed out for a week because of blowing snow. I moved to Texas the following summer.
There is something that has always attracted me to walking in the snow. When the snow comes, you have a chance to go walking and not follow anyone else’s footprints. You make your own path and can meander wherever you want. There is an added advantage as well. If you make a wrong turn, it is very easy to retrace your steps and get back on the right path. Others benefit as well because they can follow your steps (or completely ignore them and make their own path).
When the snow comes to Hutchinson, there are several places in town where these experiences can be played out to their fullest. For instance, with the combination of nature trails and open expanses in trees, Dillon Nature Center is a great place to walk in the snow. Rice Park and Carey Park provide many opportunities as well. Perhaps Sand Hills State Park provides the best opportunity, but one must be careful getting there in snowy weather because of the remoteness of the park.
One of my strongest recommendations would be to always take a camera with you. Thankfully, due to modern technology, these are usually readily available. As you walk, take plenty of pictures that you can share on social media and with friends and family.
My greatest joy from taking photos is actually the memories they help preserve long after the walk. Memories make moments meaningful. They also help us to recall the lessons we may have learned along the way. Another big advantage is that photos reviewed later remind us of God’s magnificence as evidence in His creation.
Go. Walk. Enjoy the snow. Enjoy the walk. Remember the lessons learned. You may never know when those lessons will be useful in everyday life as well!
Glenn Koster is a former reporter, a retired pastor, and a retired IT professional who spends most of his time now walking and working with various Reno County non-profits. He can be reached at Glenn.Koster@gmail.com or by phone at 620-960-4492.