My kids don't know snow. Jenna begs me to take her to play in the snow; maybe we'll venture into the Sierras for some sledding. I just think it's funny that you have to drive to snow to experience it here.
I grew up with four seasons and there's something I like about each one. Here in California, we really only have summer and kind of cold. I can't even call it winter because it doesn't snow and I can't call it fall because the leaves barely change. Kind of cold means that it gets cold enough to have to wear a jacket, but I still don't get by people buy gloves or earmuffs or scarves around here. Unless they are visiting the snow.
One of the greatest joys that I miss is snow days. I miss the anticipation, the joy when you hear your school's name called on the radio at 6:30 in the morning. (Although since our district didn't bus, it had to be a blizzard or an ice storm before school was called off). I miss the fact that you have an excuse to stay huddled in the house with the tv and pajamas. I try to explain this to my students, and they have absolutely no idea what I am talking about.
My Bon Jovi loving friend, Tamara, sent me a copy of the book, The Shack. I am only on p. 25, so please don't tell me what happens. But in the first few pages, the author, Wm Paul Young, describes this phenomenon that I love so much. Here's how he explains it . . .
"There is something joyful about storms that interrupt routine. Snow or freezing rain suddenly releases you from expectations, performance demands, and the tyranny of appointments and schedules. And unlike illness, it is largely a corporate rather than individual experience. One can almost hear a unified sigh rise from the nearby city and surrounding countryside where Nature has intervened to give respite to the weary humans slogging it out without her purview. All those affected this way are united by a mutual excuse, and the heart is suddenly and unexpectedly a little giddy. There will be no apologies needed for not showing up to some commitment or other. Everyone understands and shares in this singular justification, and the sudden alleviation of the pressure to produce makes the heart merry." The Shack, Wm. Paul Young
So that's what I miss and it's the best way I can explain to my California friends what they are missing.
2 comments:
Two of your California friends just experienced a winter storm. We got some snow Friday night/Saturday morning then a blast of Arctic air dropping the temperatures. We're getting a high of 10 this entire week with wind chills bringing the temperatures down to around -28. Rider and Tami are freezing. LOL Rider talked about moving back to California yesterday when he walked from the car to church.
I understand your longing. I didn't realize how much I missed snow until we had the miracle last week. It was just a dusting but I wanted to roll in it. I got up in the middle of the night to check and see if it was still there and ended up going out on the back porch, in my pajamas, at 2:00 AM just to watch it. I was so sad when I woke up the next morning to see it had all melted. The kids keep asking when the snow will be back and I am having a hard time explaining that snow in Houston is not normal and most likely will not happen again. Ever.
I miss fall too. Colored leaves, hay rides, bonfires roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. There is something wrong with running your air conditioning on Thanksgiving.
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