Snow Days

Snow days mean so many different things to all sorts of people.  Some people awake earlier, knowing they have to dig their cars out and begin their day earlier if they are to get to work on time, competing with the traffic.  Others scramble for sitters to watch their kids, as they travel to  their jobs, fighting the cold.  The rest of us eagerly await for that phone call, the phone call from beyond, the one that says, "School is canceled." Thursday,  my kiddos were home from school because of all the beautiful ice.  Yes, beautiful ice, why?  Marty and I had the day off, too!  That's one of the perks to working in education.  We may not be at the top of the list as far as salaries go, but we have the perk of  the snow day.   The neighborhood streets where we live are treacherous during winter storms; thus, the snow day.  Who doesn't like a snow day?  You know what I'm talking about.......that warm, cozy feeling you get?  That feeling upon hearing the telephone ring in the wee hours of the morning, sleet or snow pitter-pattering on your roof.  On the other end of the line, you hear a familiar recorded voice of your superintendent canceling school.  You feel yourself  pulling the covers over your face, and no clocks are pulling you out of bed to get the children ready.  This day there are no time commitments.  Only pure self-indulgent glories of sleep, cookie making, movie watching and family time are in the day's plans.  I wish I could tell you that I eagerly jump out of bed every morning, greeting the world with a smile, but I don't.  I thank God for the day, but I pray that I win the lottery.  If the lottery isn't an option; I'll take a snow day instead.

Snow days, I think of my dear friend and how one of her daughters loved them because mom, who was an educator, would be spending time home with them, baking cookies and playing board games.  It wasn't getting out of school work that made her happy; rather, spending time with mom is what she loved the most.   How sweet is that!  I remember the day of dear Allison's memorial service.  This young soul, who was taken to the heavens way too early, had an ice storm blanket the St. Louis area on the day we would celebrate her life.  Although this was a day that parents were saying goodbye to their vibrant 21- year old daughter; they were greeted this day with glorious ice that was a favorite to Allison.  I don't think any of us worried about arriving to the church on time, as it was her wish to show her presence through this treacherous weather, and the sun was beaming.  I remember that the warmth was beaming through the icy crystals hanging from the buildings and trees. What a miracle that was to know that this weather was her favorite, and on her day where she would be honored and talked about; we would also talk of the ice, and how she loved it so.

Snow days, I think of my sissy calling me on the other end.  Her perspective on snowy days was that of a mom, who had other plans in mind, and someone had just pulled the rug out from under her.  "Why did they call off school??!"  I would laugh on the other end, as Chrissy was not a winter soul.  She loved her tropical weathers and ocean breezes.  She couldn't stand layering the kids for the cold, snowy weathers as they would beg her to play in the snow.  It wasn't all about movies, cookie baking and hot cocoa at her house.  It involved more work.  Her kids, like mine, wanted to head out into the COLD.  That was the last place she wanted to be, and in her defense, I am not a cold weather girl either.  So I would just laugh at her because of her funny tones and groans; knowing full well what awaited her that day.  So I had to laugh yesterday morning when Frank called me with the same question:  "Why are the kids off???"  I don't know if he knew, but I was smiling on the other end.  On this snow day, I thought of how she would usually call and complain.  It wasn't her that called, but her soul mate.......how funny is that?

Happy Snow Day, my friend.......Happy Snow Day!