The quote below is from a skiing forum I participate in. It is a letter from an older, retired gentleman who is the father of the original poster. It really sums up my feelings better than I ever could.
"First significant snow of the season fell last night in Burlington. The air was cold, colder than I'd like. Now it's morning and time for me to shovel and then nurse my aching joints. But I would have it no other way (except to ban snowplows) for the simple act of shoveling forces me to once again enjoy the wonderment of life. Shoveling drags me out beyond the fortress comfort I call home and into a world we try so much to alter. God or no god, the universe is amazing.
With my dripping nose and frozen feet and fingers I am reminded that we struggle to survive like every other creature. Yet, we fail to realize struggle is just nature's way of telling us not to take anything for granted. Struggle is to enjoy, not to fight. Who are the fools? Those that rush to collect as much wealth as possible to live an artificial life cloistered from the natural world? Or those on their knees marveling at the quickness of a scurrying ant synchronizing six legs? I applaud man's achievements, but let me be among the latter. Let me watch the grass grow, the comet streak past, and hear the silence of the snow fall. Do not deprive me of a shovel.
You all have experienced the marvel in a child's face at their first experiences, especially when it's your own. And you think how privileged you are at witnessing this event. But the privilege is theirs. For they are awakening you to what you might have forgotten - the wonder of life and its simple pleasures. Heed their lessons for they know what you might have forgotten.