Snow Days

If you live in a northern clime where winter snow is a regular occurrence, then you already know the special joy of snow days.

For those not familiar with this phenomenon, snow days are the storm cancellation days when schools, churches, and many businesses make the choice to close for the day.  For some, it’s an easy decision, such as schools closing to keep children out of harm’s way and school-related traffic off of roads.  For others, such as businesses, it’s often a money-losing decision but one that has to be made, like it or not, when the weather gets serious out there and driving becomes downright dangerous.

Of course, what people consider serious weather isn’t always the same.  A snowstorm in Virginia, for instance, feels a lot more threatening than a storm in New Hampshire or Maine where people are used to dealing with heavy snowfall all winter.  But, even in these seasoned States, many storms lead to cancellations until people can safely dig out and get driving again.

It’s really just plain old common sense to stay put and hunker down until a snow storm passes but it’s something more, too; it’s a feeling of sweet liberation!   Snow days can bring us back to our childhoods when we listened for the “no school” whistle (yes, I’m that old!) or heard our town’s name announced over the radio; they can also bring that sense of relief and freedom from the responsibilities of the work-a-day world.  A snow day is that rarest of days when you can chart your own course, albeit usually within the confines of home!  Whatever that “snow day” feeling brings to us, I think we can all agree that it’s a fine thing to have an unexpected day off – no matter from what!

I think this is particularly true in today’s fast-lane world.  We’ve become so accustomed to constantly rushing through our weeks that a “snow day” is a welcomed respite.  Since we don’t willingly give ourselves permission to take a day off for mental and physical health, it’s especially nice when that permission is given to us.  Even in retirement, I still find these days to be particularly relaxing and freeing as I take renewed pleasure in just being home and doing whatever I like.

Today, while the snow continues to softly fall outside, maybe I’ll prepare some comfort food or re-pot a plant; maybe I’ll just sip a soothing cup of tea and browse seed catalogs.  Whatever I do, I’ll be sure to enjoy this snow day as the precious gift it truly is!

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