Remembering snow days

 

We certainly dodged a bullet last weekend with our winter storm.  While we did get some snow and some ice, it was not nearly as bad as was predicted.  Personally, I am quite thankful for that.  And I am very thankful that we did not lose power. I think that we would have managed just fine but still I am glad, nonetheless. I have talked about snow days on here before and every time we have any kind of an anticipated winter storm, that is where my mind goes.  It goes back to the snow days of my childhood. Back when you spent what felt like an eternity getting into your snow gear to go spend less than an hour outside.  We did have a great hill in our neighborhood for sledding.  And if you didn't have a sled, then a cardboard box would do.  Both worked great.  I did sled into the creek one year and had to go home after that for fear of frostbite.  Good times.

But this year I am remembering of how things were on the inside.  There was always something to do in the house on snow days.  I don't ever remember being bored.  We played with our toys.  We built things out of Legos.  There were jigsaw puzzles to do.  Coloring books that occupied hours of my time.  We played games and cards.  We made snow cream.  Grandmother was usually with us.  Mom or Dad would go and get her if it looked like snow. We were all together and that was what was so important.  That is what I remember about those snow days. I don't remember our power ever going out because of snow, but I imagine that it did at some point. For years, until I was a teenager, we had a working fireplace.  If you never had the joys of sitting in front of a roaring fire, you just don't know how wonderful that is.

This year, I am remembering those things more than usual. That time we spent with each other was so valuable.  I didn't realize it at the time, but I know it now.  I had Jason here at the house with me this last weekend and we also spent time with Lois next door.  Now I get why these times are important.  It was nice to go back and take things from my childhood experiences and incorporate them into today's snow days.  Not being glued to my phone or just binge watching something on tv.  Finding other, just as satisfying, ways of occupying my time.  I felt safe.  And that is what I remember from those childhood days.  I was always safe.  And in today's world, those fleeting moments of feeling safe are precious.

That is all.