I've lived in either Massachusetts or Vermont for my entire
life, so I make a conscious effort not to complain about weather. Watching a foot of snow fall yesterday I let
go of my discouragement and instead chose to embrace the snow day.
For many of my colleagues, a cancelled school day is a
special kind of torture. The kids are underfoot and bored or they want mom to
spend hours outside watching, standing and freezing while they play in the snow.
But for me and other parents of teenagers, snow cancellations can mean hours of
peacefulness.
All day yesterday my family was happy and safe. My husband took a
rare snow day, working from home--which meant I didn't worry about him driving on
icy roads. College was cancelled, so my daughter stayed in her dorm. My teenage
son slept into mid-afternoon. And
instead of rushing out to a volunteer commitment, I enjoyed a leisurely cup of coffee
then put a few logs in the fireplace and a pot of chili on the stove.
When the electricity went out (along with our internet
access) attempts at work were forgotten. My husband and I sat by the fire,
quietly reading; occasionally lifting our heads in response to an enormous gust
of wind or sleet pelting the windows. My son sat in his room using his phone's
remaining power to listen to music and face-time his friends. We could hear soft
strains of both his music and his laughter. My daughter called to ask for
advice (and for my credit card number) proving she was both safe and happily
shopping on-line.
A few hours into the afternoon our electricity returned, and
the snow slowed. My son and husband ventured outside to begin the snow cleanup
before dark; while I sat peacefully watching the snow and listing my blessings.
A warm home. Running water. Food in the refrigerator. Chili on the stove.
A working snowblower. A strong son with a shovel. And a new gratitude for an unusually cold
spell of weather and a March snow day.
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