Snowman

      Living across the street from the bird sanctuary had its advantages even in the

winter. The trees were bare and leaves strewn across the field.  The freezing nights would

break down the leaves and make a soft cushion all around. The low outcropping brush

were bare and all this made the "summer's softball field" smooth, large, and open.

     From time to time snow would blanket the field and make the creek look like a

mountain stream. Since this was such a smooth, large space, the Duke students would

soon take over the area and for 3-4 hours it would become their personal playground. Of

all things, because I was so young, my mom and dad wouldn't let me join in; so, I

watched them most of the day.

       The playing would begin with a snowball rolled up to begin a snowman and

before long two or three joined in pushing the ball around. By the time four or five passes

up and down the field were completed, a 4' snowball rolled by 10-12 kids formed the

base of the snowman. The second ball was started and rolled up to the base and a 3'

abdomen was jointly lifted and snow applied to complete the second layer.

       The final head portion was rolled and shaped until a neck less head was attached.

While this was being rolled up/formed, some of the others rounded up stick arms and

charred wood for eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.  The kids would all do some dancing and

cheering in homage to this man made wonder.

       The group would then splinter off to build snow forts and accumulate an arsenal

of ice snowballs.  The laughter from the ensuing snow ball fight would shatter the late

afternoon quiet and everyone seemed to have so much fun.  I could not wait to be able to

do that.  Since the snowman was so compact and massive, he would stay around for days

and days after the rest of the park snow vanished.

        This always reminded me of lessons to be retained. First, it took the entire team to

be committed to the project being completed. Without everyone doing their part as a team,

the layers would never be built nor rolled and lifted in place. Secondly, if the kids had not

taken initiative and took on new responsibilities, the face and arms would never come

together.  Third, there needs to be a celebration of the job completion so everyone will

remember what has been accomplished as a team.

        Finally, the project completion must be inegrated into the total objective. The

winning snowball team always was the one who could stand behind the tall snowman and

use him to stay upright and throw the fastest from this standing position. This always

lured the opposing team out to their eventual loss.

       We also have team projects at Park View where we work together and work

individually to achieve different parts of our overall assignment. Upon completion, we

celebrate our success and use it to work toward our one objective--Bring others to Him.