Sometimes Snow Days Aren't Just About the Snow

The great clean up after the storm has begun – inside houses everywhere around Houston – where children played games, waited for snow, made forts, drank cups of hot chocolate, waited for snow, ate everything in sight and then asked for more, fought with swords, pillows, and other various household items, and still waited for snow…

I loved every minute of it.

What rarely happens in Houston, happened twice this week. 2, count ‘em, TWO snow days! Or, I should say “winter storm warnings,” or “ice storms,” or “deep freezes,” or simply “waiting on the snow” kind of days. Nevertheless, schools were out, workplaces closed, highways shut down, flights cancelled, life interrupted, as we waited…

It never came for most of us.

Except for a few light flurries fluttering down so beautifully from the sky – leaving us longing for more.

But here’s what I noticed today, in the aftermath of the “storm,” as I began to pick up the pieces that still lay sprawled throughout our house, evidence of small tornado-like activity, hitting here and there, reminding me that we indeed had experienced some type of huge event of rather significant proportion.

As much as we thought it was, it really wasn’t about the snow.

It was about so much more.

Something way more important.

It was in those moments of waiting, together, at home, that something else even more significant played out.

Life happened.

Moments shared together. Time spent with family, just hanging out, not doing anything of huge importance to change the world, except this – making memories.

And that – is time never wasted.

10 things I’ll remember long after the thoughts of snow have gone:

Laughter – Chasing the storm with these I love. Didn’t find much, but that’s OK. We waited. We hunted. We chased. We laughed. A lot. That is treasure.

Snow Cones – Eating snow cones at Bahama Bucks. Since we couldn’t find any snow, we could at least eat something close to it. We were the only ones there for a long time. I think they were glad we came and filled the empty room with some noise, even gave us a few free snow cone cards to come back again, and a snow ball – to throw.

Games – Playing games. Lots of them. At home, inside, outside, even at the snow cone place. Played Connect 4 so many times I was seeing dots of red and yellow. Sliding games across the trampoline, a place no longer meant for jumping, only sliding, over and over again, till the ice was no more.

Building – Watching forts built right before my eyes throughout the living room, with blankets and sheets sprawled over furniture, even our dog enjoyed refuge there. And puppet shows constructed by small hands, with scripts written and parts given out. Obstacle courses made from furniture, no longer a couch but a tight rope, no longer a chair, but a springboard, no longer an ottoman, but a hurdle. Zip line coming down from the stairs. How do they think of these things? Allowing these pieces of child art to linger on for a while, such work should never be torn down too quickly. Evidence of creativity, a sense of adventure, a desire to build, and life with precious ones who bring spice and JOY.

Enjoying – Cups of hot chocolate. Big pot of chili and cornbread, homemade cookies. Constant reminders that pantry raiders and fridge openers live here. Seriously. We have no food left after this storm. Must go back and replenish the supplies. Waiting for snow seems to make one very hungry.

Catching – Watching these 3 run out to enjoy the first, and only, flutters of snow. Cheers of excitement for such simplicity and beauty coming down from the sky. Did you ever notice the first thing kids do in the snow is look up, open their hands to the sky, then open their mouths? It’s so natural. Classic. You really never have to teach this. Catching snowflakes with the heart of a child is the best.

Soaking – Taking it all in – each moment – my mind – like a camera – snapping pictures to save and remember. Red noses, cold hands, sparkling eyes, freshness to the air, and to our spirits. Warm, full hearts.

Closeness – Snuggling close, watching movies, holding fast to the goal of living life in pajamas – all day.

Music – Singing, dancing, downloading music. Frozen soundtrack, Peter Pan, endless songs, drum beats, piano tunes. Music filling every room, feet tapping on every floor, rhythm touching every space that exists in this place we call home.

Discovery – Finding icicles, small enough to crack off any object and held up like a prized trophy. Yet another beautiful reminder that this is why we were at home. And thankful for the school districts and workplaces that let us stay home, as crazy and laughable as that seems to the rest of the world with “real” snow, lol. Thankful that just for these days, we were not required to try to get places on time with ice on the roads, knowing how treacherous this could potentially be for Texas drivers.