Snow Day!

Growing up in the North East, there was nothing like waking up to a snow day. Of course, there were all sorts of superstitions that preceeded a snow day: if you stayed up past your bedtime, it wouldn't snow; if you didn't do your homework, it wouldn't snow; if you failed to study for a test, it wouldn't snow and you'd have to go to school. However, if you were well rested and prepared for school, the snow would come a howlin'. Then, you'd lie very still hearing the rumbling of the snow plows, hoping they weren't doing too good a job. You'd jump out of bed, press an ear to the AM radio and hold your breath while they announced, in alphabetical order, "NO SCHOOL TODAY...". It was like getting something for nothing, a get out of jail free card, a dream come true.

As a parent, I still revel in the joys of snow days with my kids. I even bought myself a "snow suit" so I can sled and roll as they do in the powder. Go ahead: wear your pajamas all day, go sledding, make maple syrup snowcones, drink hot chocolate, play board games, read books, stand on the couch and watch the storm blow outside. No where to go and nothing pressing to do.

I can't help but wonder what will happen when the kids grow up and I have no more excuses to celebrate inclement weather. Maybe we should all just take a snow day once a year--bundle up, lie down in a drift and make an angel, stick out your tongue to catch the flakes as they fall, feel your wrists getting chapped and don't care one jot about it.

See ya in the backyard.