March 13, 2008

As a general rule, we don't receive much snow around here. Maybe a little bit of snow once each year. And then an actual good snow every few years. So snow for us isn't like snow for people in the northern latitudes, where they are used to it.

But snow fever runs high around here. Any time that the forecast calls for snow, you better hope that you have already been to the grocery store. Because if you do need to go, you will be faced with a large crowd of anxious shoppers hurrying to get enough bread to last them an entire week or longer. Never mind that most of the snow we get lasts just a couple of days at the longest.

Late last week, the forecast was calling for snow on Friday. The National Weather Service went so far as to issue a Winter Weather Advisory on Thursday that would be in effect on Friday. By Friday morning, that was changed to a Winter Storm Warning that would start at noon. Panic ensued, as always.

Some of the local schools were already on a half-day schedule, so the forecast didn't really affect them. But most of the other local schools decided to play it safe and close two hours early. Which causes a bit of confusion since they already close at different times. While I was out at lunch, traffic was pretty heavy as people scrambled about, hoping to get their kids and get home before the blizzard hit. But by this time, there were only a few snowflakes falling here and there.

Laura and Jaylin's school wasn't quite so quick on the trigger. The school officials there decided to stay open as usual, although they did cancel the after school care and evening activities. And that looked to be a good decision as well, as the real snow had started to fall around 3:00.

So when I went to pick them up, the other schools closing early turned out to be a blessing, because traffic was pretty light by that time. The roads still weren't slick, although they were starting to develop a bit of slush on them. But we had smooth sailing. So smooth, in fact, that we decided to go out to eat before going home. The restaurant was virtually empty because of the snow, and we still didn't have any trouble getting home after that.

The snow continued through the evening, and it did start to pile up. We had a nice, quiet, relaxing evening at home. And it helped that we didn't feel like we had to go anywhere and could use the snowy roads as an excuse for staying home.

By Saturday morning, we had around 5", although it was already starting to melt quickly due to the sun being out. We put on our winter clothes and went for a walk through the woods. Laura enjoyed throwing snowballs, and Jaylin made a few snow angels. And again thanks to the sun being out, it didn't feel all that cold outside.

The snow was mostly gone by the afternoon, and the roads were completely clear. I wasn't that sad to see it go, although it had been enjoyable while it was there. That's the best kind of snow for me. Able to enjoy it, and then get on with other things.

But as I mentioned, our Friday night was quite enjoyable. We had been doing so much the last few weeks, and going in so many directions, that it was nice just to be able to stay home and watch TV for a week. Perhaps the snow was a gift from God to help us relax, to make us take some time from our schedule just for ourselves. If so, it was much appreciated!

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10

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