Sunday- January 30, 2022

Dear Marion,

  How often did we wish for a snow day? I can still remember the excitement and anticipation the whole day before wondering if we would get that cherished day off from school. The butterflies in my stomach while the sky was still dark wondering/waiting to hear if the siren would shriek into the early morning meaning No School Today! Any other day we couldn’t drag ourselves out of bed to prepare for school, but on that day (much earlier in the morning) we leaped out with joy. What would we do with that gift of no expectations from us? Shoveling which dad most often completed super early so that he might still go to work (before sun up on most days). Most certainly sleigh riding was at the top of our list and usually in our neighborhood. Between our steep driveway and the street in front of our home we were content as were many from the neighborhood. Making snowmen and possibly even snow families pending how much snow and our mood. Snow angels and snow cones were squeezed in when energy sunk low which wasn’t for long because snow ball fights would angle their way into the moment. Who could forget our snow forts making it easier to target each other and some days we even thought to stockpile our snowballs so that we could have the edge. What did we get if our side won? Absolutely nothing except the knowledge that we did and could tease our friends on the other side. We didn’t have cable or any devices for games so when we were beyond cold and couldn’t feel our fingers and toes we all slumped back to our homes for hot chocolate and board games, etc. In our younger years, the neighborhood was mostly boys and I would sometimes need a break from their endless games and noise, so I would come in and work on projects(knitting, sewing, baking, etc). You always said it was pretty clear that I had a strong pull toward design of any kind. 

  We had a blizzard this week and it was so beautiful to watch the storm take root, blossom, and eventually move on leaving us with the most beautiful sunset filled with all of the color that had been blanketed by white just mere hours earlier. It was like a cleaning of the slate. Of course, I can say this because we were safe in our home with heat and all of the comforts we designed into our snow day. We went for groceries three or four times this week instead of once or twice because we wanted to be able to bake or cook fun things we don’t often have time or energy to do because we would be home without a way to leave. I prepared the outside for potential flooding and certainly strong winds. The cars were moved to higher ground which as it turns out made it easier to shovel and somewhat freeing because we had the ultimate excuse to stay home and do whatever we wanted. 

  This snow day occurred on a Friday night so we had no thoughts about school. If it were a weekday, there would be a phone call, text message, and an email confirming school delay or cancellation to triple confirm that all were aware of the snow day. This is my last season to have any concern or anticipation for the snow day in this way. Hopefully some time from now, it could be my children’s children waking with excitement and I wonder how their snow day will be designed for them/by each of them. Next year this time will I still get a thrill for a snow day when our nest is empty? I like to think so because it is magical no matter your age to see those beautiful individual flakes floating around. Of course, I can say this because we so rarely have this weather and I am presently sitting in front of my fireplace toasty and content. The thermometer dropped on Friday and it has been so cold that my fingers were freezing while shoveling with gloves on. I walked to the end of our block to see how the usually busy street looked and my cheeks started to tingle in a way that meant go back home and warm up. This was the cold and wind that you don’t want exposed skin for very long. By the way, I only saw two cars which is unheard of even late into the night. This morning the sun is beginning to grace us with her presence and it is comforting to know we will at least have that light and bit of warmth to encourage another round of shoveling. It is still wildly cold and we are not used to below 20 but we were spared the flooding this time and the snow was dry so shoveling will be easier.

 This has been a good time to organize, and a great time to read or watch movies all of which we have been indulging. I just finished “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave and I loved every moment. The story was vivid and detailed in such a way that I often didn’t see where it was going, which kept me on the edge of my seat. We began watching The Gilded Age a period series chock full of great actors bringing to life a New York struggling between the old and new, moved onto The After Party with Tiffany Haddish as a detective investigating a murder post high school reunion, to add a bit of humor a new comedy How I Met Your Father, and the silly and heart warming 2005 remake of Yours, Mine, and Ours starring Rene Russo and Dennis Quaid. So, January is coming to an end and Ground Hog Day is just over the horizon ushering in some warmer weather mid week reminding me everything is temporary and there is some comfort in that or at least anticipation for the next. Today, I am going to do my best to enjoy The Now.

Talk soon,

Forever Yours

Quote:

“A home is for expression, not to make impressions.”

as heard in the movie “Yours, Mine, and Ours”

The 2005 remake with Dennis Quaid and Renee Russo

A movie we watched during our snow day.