There was crisp, dry snow under his feet and more snow lying on the branches of the trees. Overhead there was a pale blue sky, the sort of sky one sees on a fine winter day in the morning. Straight ahead of him he saw between the tree trunks the sun, just rising, very red and clear. Everything was perfectly still, as if he were the only living creature in that country.
-C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Snow swirled down in the gray dawn yesterday, winter whispering farewell in its dying breath: I’m still here, but not for long. Just one more time . . . .
There’s a silence, a stillness, to Sunday mornings anyway, a sense of expectancy, an invitation to step away from the world.
Of course I think of Narnia. I always do when it snows.
I was ten years old, scouring the school library shelves for a book I hadn’t read yet, when I encountered a compelling title: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
“Sounds interesting,” I thought, opening the cover, not realizing that it was a portal to another world that I’d never fully leave – or want to leave. I fell in and never climbed all the way out again. Part of that pull is the longing C.S. Lewis infused into the Narnia Chronicles, the sense of “realness” that pervades the magic. Lewis poured what he loved into the stories, and they live because of it.
Having facilitated a writing workshop for teachers just the day before on “creating the magic” – writing about what matters to you, tapping into your heart, your dreams, your struggles, your memories, making your writing authentic so you can help students do the the same – I watched the snow, remembering Narnia.
Writing is the closest thing to magic that there is. As teachers we create the atmosphere for our writers. It’s one of excited expectancy, of energy, when young writers discover the power within them, learning how to harness words to impact readers. Writing, after all, is meant to be shared – it’s the connecting of human minds and hearts.
Which is why, for me, Narnia is never very far away.
Especially when it snows.
lit bits and pieces 
Ha! My post this morning is MUCH less eloquent about the impending snow and my un-excitement about it. Maybe I can conjure up some images of Narnia and enjoy it. Better yet–maybe I’ll bring a copy home for tomorrow’s fireside reading!
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I love that idea of reading about Narnia by the fire! I’m in! It’s sure to make things more bearable, perhaps even a bit luxurious. Be safe and escape. 🙂
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I think Narnia will now forever be on my mind every time I encounter snow! After reading your post, I have fallen in love with the idea of writing as magic–it truly is. I can’t wait to share the idea with students and teachers!
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The magic happens when it starts coming together and students – all writers – recognize their own power. Of course a lot of hard work goes into it but the effect makes it all worth the while. Everyone needs a taste of that, then stand back! Yea to snow, Narnia, and making the magic! 🙂
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Once again, I am enamored and mesmerized by your words! I would love to have been at your workshop. Simply beautiful.
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I am so thankful that you find my posts meaningful, as they’re deeply meaningful to me. The workshop was so much fun – three hours flew by as we wrote from our hearts and shared. I also shared pieces I’d written with and for students so they could experience the thinking and decision-making that go into the authentic writing process. I do everything I ask students to do and allow them to make suggestions, etc. as I write. I love every minute.
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I walked in to the lounge in our wing today, and there sat a pair of red rubber boots! I told the teacher who owned them…you have got to read this…and emailed her a link to your slice! 🙂
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Oh my goodness! You cannot imagine how honored I am. I wonder how thrilled my Granddaddy would be to know what an impact those boots have even after so many years. The littlest things done with great love are huge … thank you, Leigh Anne, for blessing my day!
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Your post and Alan’s post connect this morning, from different angles.
https://livinglifetwice-alwrite.blogspot.com/2017/03/slice-of-life-story-challenge-march-14.html
Kevin
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I saw that – definitely serendipity!
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I am so glad if you found some encouragement here – persevere! This is why we all need each other. 🙂
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