Snow Day

Is there anything more delightful than a snow day?

I remember feeling giddy whenever a snowstorm led to an unexpected day off during the school week. Unlike kids today, whose initial response is often to whine, "So what are we going to DO today?", I don't recall ever wondering how best to take advantage of that freshly minted freedom. Assorted siblings and friends would struggle into snowsuits and drag our banged-up Flexible Flyers up the big hill on Glen Avenue; then sled down to Sylvan Road and pray no cars were crossing below. When we couldn't feel our fingers and toes, we'd head indoors for grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup (if it was lunchtime) or hot chocolate (if it wasn't.) Before our ice-caked socks and mittens had thawed, we'd be off again. We never seemed to tire of making snow angels or tunneling into the biggest drifts and lying, entombed, in the eerie silence. At night we'd fall into bed and sleep like the dead.

It was just starting to snow this morning when I left for work. I went anyway, knowing that predictions called for a foot or more by tomorrow morning. Yesterday it was all everybody talked about, kvetching as if a snowstorm was a rare and devastating occurrence in North Jersey. In February. Anyway, at noon my boss announced that the building was closing, and as I drove home that old familiar feeling came over me: SNOW DAY! After whipping up a grilled-cheese-and-tomato-soup lunch, I ventured out to measure: 9" and counting! The cat stood at the open patio door, meowing with annoyance as she repeatedly touched a paw (gingerly) to the snow. I watched as frilly flakes collected on her nose and whiskers, and thanked Mother Nature for giving me this afternoon off. I don't own a sled anymore, and these days hot chocolate upsets my stomach. But I'm letting any and all adult worries wait until tomorrow--and going outside to make snow angels!