There was a major snowstorm my first winter in Philadelphia. I’d just moved there from Minnesota, so I had no idea what the fuss was about. Then, I went out to get groceries and understood. The snow was left smooth and undisturbed, as if no one lived there.
I would not be discouraged. I still had Minnesota plates on my car after all, and anything under a foot wasn’t worth mentioning.
My car dragged, but it went. When it threatened to stop, I gunned it, and pushed through, shooting snow everywhere.
I’m feeling destabilized, right now. This morning brought some unpleasant surprises. I wanted to yield and give these things their power, but then I remembered that snowstorm. I got my groceries and got home, shaky, but undamaged, and I accomplished it through sheer force of will—along with, what was then, a brand new 2002 Hyundai Elantra.