Snow Days
Growing up in the woods of middle Tennessee after the holiday break and post celebration exhale of what was the most awesome frenetic two-week period of the year, the letdown of a looming long cold wet January was always the most miserable time of the year for me. As the daily slog back to the school routine set in and the monotony of each day was broken up by the excitement of an ear infection or the thrill of strep throat, these were days of great despair. There was of course one glimmer of hope that every child held deep in their heart of hearts; we might get a snow day.
The rumors of snowfall coming would fill the halls and every classroom days before it would potentially arrive. Staring up out the window at the desolate grey sky searching for a big fat cloud filled with snow ready to drop that could take us to a wonderland of big blankets, hot chocolate, and a vacation from school. It could happen at any time, even the school board knew it and had allotted 7 Snow Days a year into the school calendar that we wouldn’t have to make up school for “just in case.” Long before social media would tell you the instant school was called off, you’d wake up early, turn on your tv, and watch the excruciatingly slow crawl at the bottom of the screen as the counties would roll by holding the fate of your day in its hand. As a child, living in Williamson County you were taught a few things: 1. Patience- we’re going to be at the end of the list so don’t get excited till Van Buren County shows up 2. Jealousy- White County gets out EVERYTIME a snowflake falls 3. Heartbreak- Wilson County will devastate you as you will hold on each letter as it emerges from the right corner of the screen like a childhood version of the Powerball; “W” (good start) “I” (now we’re talking) “L” (Oh baby, here it comes!) . .. . . . . .”S” (COME ON!! The Superintendent must hate us.! I can’t live this way! When I grow up, I’m moving to Florida and I never have to deal with this emotional snow-llercoaster AGAIN!)
That brings us to the present where a historical amount of snowfall has just befallen our coastal town. A paint stroke of white blankets every surface in uniformed beauty, my teenage sons have chased each other and wrestled in the snow like I haven’t seen since they were much smaller and are currently in the midst of an entire week home from school, (you always want more for your kids than you had…right?) meanwhile our whole area has had to hit pause while we thaw out. That last part is secretly my favorite; the pause. I find when everything stops, I am more reflective and contemplative. That seems to be the moments I am most thankful as well. Many of the daily blessings that sometimes drift by without much fanfare are suddenly brought to the forefront as the distractions of our responsibilities are sidelined and we can just be still and know. Instead of listing all of the many blessings I have, I think of the source and know we are not alone as all our blessings come from the Lord. In 2nd Chronicles 16:9, it is written, "For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him." A thankful heart and a joyful spirit in the great many blessings we receive daily and throughout our lives are where my thoughts are on these snowy days.