Snow Day!

“Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God's best gifts. 

It involves many things, but above all, the power of going out of one's self, 

and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another.” ~ Thomas Hughes

Today was a snow day. 

In a matter of 18 hours or less, we got 17 inches of snow. Needless to say, it crippled the Texas panhandle. The National Guard had to be called in because even our snow vehicles were getting stuck. Beautiful snow - but more than we are accustomed to around here!

As Kerry said, we have a snow fort that has indoor plumbing and electricity!

Sitting in my living room and looking at the horizontal snow (whiteout condition), I was reminded of the year that it snowed umpteen bazillion inches and we missed 3 days of school. I think I was 16 - or maybe 17 - and it was a gift from God to get snow days.  As you can imagine, we were all THRILLED to miss school but desperate to be with our friends. We weren't about to let that same snow storm keep us away from each other. 

Cathy, Jason and I all lived about the same distance apart - forming a triangle - and Jason's dad was the only one who drove a 4 wheel drive - so we decided to all convene at my house for a while. He brought Jason over when he had to go check on things at work. It was perfect! We spent the day playing in the snow and taking a long nap before Jason's dad picked us all up on his way home and took us to their house for movies. 

This wasn't THAT snow, but as you can see
we were always goofing off!

We had a blast! Where else would you want to be when you are snowed in other than stuck with your best friends with nothing urgent to accomplish? I couldn't tell you what movies we saw or how late we stayed up, but I definitely remember how much fun we all had together. I can almost put myself back there. It's that vivid of a memory.

Anyway, as I reflected on that snow storm, I found myself laughing at how much fun we had.

Next thing I knew, I was crying. That kind of silent cry where you can't really stop the tears from flowing. You know the one. You could easily sob, but you keep it all in and just let the tears fall....and your nose runs....and you realize you probably look ridiculous but you can't help it. 

This whole cancer thing sucks. Instead of remembering our awesome adolescent antics, I found myself boo hoo-ing because I'm not sure when we will ever get to make more memories like those. Distance certainly plays a part, but this stupid cancer is really cramping our ability to get together too. 

I think I was crying for our forgotten childhood as well as the reality that illness brings to our realized adulthood. And, on some level, there were tears of happiness because I am so blessed to have the same close friends I had when I was 16. Not everyone can say that, I know. Anyway...I bawled. 

Since I'm not one to sit around and pout, I suggested we play a game. So out came Monopoly, and then Gracey came walking in with one of her friends on FaceTime.  She asked if we could go pick up him up, and Kerry and I said yes immediately.  A little giggling of crazy friends, cookie baking, Monopoly and some playing in the snow cheered me right up! Seeing my kids joke around and have fun with friends makes me so happy. They have great friends - and they are good friends themselves. It's truly a blessing.

And somehow it doesn't look as deep when you are standing up on the porch...but it's crazy deep out there!

And the games began!

Nothing like carrying on a tradition to make you smile!