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SNOW
DAY
As
I am looking out
the window at the
beautiful snowfall
this morning, I am
thinking back to
when I was a child
and we had snow
days, when the
roads were to
slick for the
buses to
run. I think
those were the
most fun days we
had. We
waited anxiously
for mom to come in
and say, no school
today! We
would whoop and
scream, and then
start planning our
day in the snow.
We
would jump out of
bed faster than we
ever did on a
school day, and
ate breakfast with
zest! We
needed energy for
the big day
ahead! We
then started
getting out our
clothes for the
adventure.
We had to have
warm clothes,
layers for warmth,
and boots and
gloves and hats,
coats that would
keep out some of
the dampness of
the beautiful
snow. We got
everything laid
out and we were
ready to get
started. We
called all our
friends and agreed
where we would
meet and what we
would do.
Our day was
planned!
After
we were dressed to
mom's satisfaction
we headed out,
sleds in
hand. There
was a hill just
below our house
that was the most
perfect sleigh
riding spot.
About 10 or 12 of
us gathered and
started flying
down the
hill. The
longer we rode,
the slicker it
got, until it was
a solid sheet of
ice. It was
almost as much fun
trying to get back
to the top of the
hill as it was
flying down.
We would pull each
other, fall, roll
down the hill,
then try
again.
Finally, we put up
the sleds and got
out cardboard to
ride on.
That definitely
worked
better. We
were freezing, but
our hearts and
spirits were warm
and that is what
mattered.
At
lunchtime, mom
treated us all to
soup and grilled
cheese sandwiches,
and of course hot
chocolate.
We got warm and
dried our socks
and gloves, and
headed out for the
big event, the
snowman building
contest!
We
had a huge yard
and plenty enough
room for everyone
to have a spot of
their own to build
in. Mom
provided the
carrots, hats and
coal. We
were on our way! I
always sneaked out
a scarf to go on
my snowgirl!
We worked
feverishly
building our
masterpieces.
After a few hours,
we had a judging
contest. We
were always able
to pick a winner ~
being the good
friends were were!
We
then took a walk
in the woods,
throwing snowballs
at each other and
picking up pine
cones and sticks
to use with our
snowmen and
snowgirls.
We loved every
minute of it for
sure! I know
there will be kids
out playing today
just like we did
so many years
ago.
At
that age it was
just fun, but
looking back this
morning, it was a
part of me
that makes me
smile and count my
blessings when I
see the new
snowfall
outside my
window. I am
so thankful for
these memories,
and hope my
grand-daughter
Tori is making
memories of her
own
today.
© Ann Joyce January 8, 2000
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