Once there was a snowman . . .
Two weeks ago, after seeing a clean blanket of freshly fallen snow, several friends and I decided to do something that, due to various circumstances, we had not done in years. We built a snowman. Perhaps because it had been so long, or perhaps because the snow was just perfect for packing, we decided that not only were we going to build a snowman, but we were going to build the biggest snowman any of us had ever built. So we did.
This archived article was written by: Austin Ashcraft
Two weeks ago, after seeing a clean blanket of freshly fallen snow, several friends and I decided to do something that, due to various circumstances, we had not done in years. We built a snowman. Perhaps because it had been so long, or perhaps because the snow was just perfect for packing, we decided that not only were we going to build a snowman, but we were going to build the biggest snowman any of us had ever built. So we did.
The bottom portion was taller than me. It took four or five of us just to roll it. It was fantastic! The middle portion required six of us to lift and put on top, and even so, we barely got it up there. For the head, we had to stand on each other’s shoulders to lift it up and pack the snow around it to solidify it. We even put on a face, arms and everything that a normal snowman would have.
We loved it. It was the best snowman I have ever built by far. We tried to take a couple pictures, but with it being dark outside, the pictures didn’t turn out. The plan was to take a few more pictures in the morning, when we could actually see the snowman. I walked to my car, and about 15 minutes later, drove passed the snowman, hoping to admire our work as I went home.
However, as I drove past, much to my dismay, the snowman was no longer standing. The next morning, I surveyed the damage and, unless there was in incredible gust of wind in those 15 minutes (in which case, I apologize profusely for my accusation), it seems that all signs point to his being knocked over.
Now I know that this really is not a big deal. It’s a snowman. Was I disappointed? Yes. Do I wish that he had not been knocked over? Of course. Although I realize that this is a minor issue (it’s a snowman, for crying out loud), I still feel like taking this opportunity to voice my opinion about an issue far bigger than a snowman.
To those of you who took your time to absolutely smash the fruits of our labor, I say – GROW UP! Really, guys – it’s time to leave high school behind and start acting like adults. It is absolutely childish to go around destroying other people’s work just for kicks and giggles. I know that the snow does not belong to me. I have no ownership of it, nor do I claim any special privileges to the wonderful, white, fluffiness that has graced our campus. What I do own, however, is the sense of pride and accomplishment that came with completing such a task. You destroyed that. You took away from me the satisfaction of seeing something that I helped create stand for other people to enjoy. Don’t think that it is acceptable or even that funny. If you want to destroy a snowman, take the time and make one yourself, then you can knock it down and beat it to the ground as much as you want.
Think about it this way. You are playing your favorite video game, and you work for a long time to get the high score. You play and play until you set a record so high that you think it will never be broken. Then I come along and decide to reset the high scores. All your work, and all the time you put into that – gone. Now, I don’t know if you play video games or not, but the principle is the same. Sure you still got the high score, but how does it feel now that you can only just tell people about it?
I realize that the snowman scenario will not apply to most who read this, but take a minute and think about the rest of my message. We can all afford to grow up a little bit – myself included. Isn’t that the point of us coming to USU Eastern? Really, though – whether it be for school, or for the social aspect, or anything else – isn’t the real reason we are in college to grow up and become better than we are? To learn how to live and learn and work and think on our own?
I am not perfect, but I would like to think that I have learned enough to no longer require someone constantly telling me to do my homework, get to bed at a reasonable hour, and play nice with the other kids (and not knock down their snowman). It always helps to hear those reminders. I love going home and hearing those things from my parents, even if they are now speaking to my younger siblings instead of me. It helps me to understand that there is more to living than just acting for your own personal enjoyment. However, we should be to the point in our lives where we don’t need to hear those things everyday in order to act appropriately.
Adulthood is a title that has pretty much been handed to us free of charge, yet there are some of us that are having a hard time qualifying for that title. Some people think that they are adults when they turn 18, or 21, or something like that. That is not how it works. You become an adult when you can prove that you can act like one. You might be lumped into the demographic of “Adults,” but until you start acting like one, you are just an old child.
If knocking down somebody else’s snowman really brings you that much joy – please come and tell me, and I will be happy to make a snowman for the sole purpose of you demolishing it (weather permitting, of course). If it really means that much to you, forgive me for my accusations, and I will do what I can to make it up to you. However, if your actions were merely an attempt at some fun, because you were bored at 11:30 on a Monday night, let’s try for some maturity next time. I’m not angry. I’m not trying to call anybody out. I’m just disappointed that our snowman was knocked down. It’s just a snowman. I realize that. But even so, let’s just grow up a little bit, and act like the adults that we should be.
