A Quiet Transformation at –13°C

Paju, South Korea woke up to a staggering –13°C yesterday morning. The sudden drop in temperature transformed the city into a winter landscape almost instantly. Though my heart was still lingering in autumn, nature had already turned the page. The season’s first snowfall arrived without warning—and the emotion of that moment will stay with me for a long time.

The Unexpected First Snowfall in Paju

Although the forecast mentioned snow in the afternoon, the sky stayed flawlessly blue throughout the morning. Even by midday, it seemed certain the prediction was wrong.
But during dinner, the dim light outside felt strangely different. I looked out the window—and there it was. Large, fluffy snowflakes were pouring down over the apartment complex. The first snow of the season.

My daughter and I hurried outside, hoping to walk in the falling snow, but the snowfall had already stopped. Even so, the fresh white blanket across the neighborhood quietly announced winter’s official arrival.

Winter Scenes: Snowflowers, Footprints, and Familiar Places Reborn

Under the warm glow of the apartment lights, delicate snowflowers rested on bare branches. Though stripped of their leaves, the trees looked less lonely—decorated by nature’s own gentle touch.
I wondered how they would endure the harsh winter ahead, yet their quiet resilience felt comforting.

Walking along untouched snow-covered paths, even the usual scenery felt new. Placing my first footprints on the pristine snow brought back memories of childhood winters in Busan. First snow always carries the same excitement, no matter how much time has passed.

Simple Joys: Making Snow Ducks Together

My daughter brought her snow-duck mold, and soon a little “snow duck factory” was in full operation.
The tiny white ducks sitting neatly on the snow looked almost alive. At the playground, rows of snow ducks stood like little guards keeping watch. We laughed together, savoring the small joys of winter.

A Snowy Path and Reflections on Life

As I walked along an untouched snowy path, I was reminded of the book title “A Road Everyone Walks for the First Time.”
Like footprints on fresh snow, life is a journey no one has walked before. It may feel clumsy and uncertain, but each step carries lessons—and those lessons shape who we become.

Last Autumn Leaves and a Nostalgic Moment

A few remaining autumn leaves, unprepared for winter’s sudden arrival, bent under the weight of the snow.

Nearby, I noticed an old broom leaning against a tree, which brought back memories of pretending to fly on a broomstick as a child. I even attempted a playful “flight” again for my daughter—though the magic wasn’t quite what it used to be.

What Paju’s First Snow Left Behind

That night, as the first snow settled across the city, I felt a mix of nostalgia, excitement, and calm.
The quiet beauty of winter, memories from long ago, and the warmth of walking with my daughter all layered softly in my heart—like snow accumulating on a silent night.

This first snow wasn’t just a weather event; it felt like a gentle greeting from a new season.
A reminder of the beauty in ordinary moments, and of time quietly moving forward.

For Your Dream Life
by Dream Max