white(out) knights

We are indeed a family of writers. Could not resist sharing below from one of us who does not do it often enough. Thank you, Darling Jan.

I work 7 minutes from my house.  Tuesday it took me 4 hours to get home.  Had to leave my car about halfway and walk.  Husband’s 79 year old mother and 85 year old aunt had met up with me and we walked together.  Sweet hubby was at home---he had worked nights and was sleeping.  He drove as far as he could and then walked to meet us.  I guess we only had to walk about a mile or so---but in the driving snow, when you are not dressed appropriately, any distance is a challenge.  Mom stayed with us until the roads cleared.  Youngest son was trapped downtown at UAB.  He spent Tuesday and Wednesday night as a “refugee” in the campus rec center with all the other stranded students and faculty.  We were just VERY grateful that he was indoors.  Many, many people spent close to 24 hours in their vehicles gridlocked on the roads.  I had made him put a “care package” in his car the week before.  It consisted of some pop tarts, peanut butter crackers, bottled water, toboggan and face mask and a blanket.  All the eye rolling he did was quickly forgotten once he realized he was stranded.  The blanket came in pretty handy.  J (Maybe he will realize that Mom really does know best.)

Believe me.  We will all have a severe weather kit in our cars as soon as I can assemble them.  They will have inflatable pillows or air mattresses, blankets, non- perishable food items and some sort of contraption to ensure that bathroom issues will not complicate things further.   We will also have gloves, extra socks and water proof boots for long distance walking. 

Several of my coworkers have small children that spent the night at their schools.  God bless the educators that kept, loved on, and entertained them. 

I left my car parked in a local nursing home lot.  The staff there was extraordinary, offering food and drinks, access to a land line phone and any other items that were needed. 

Wonderful snow angels emerged through it all and helped their fellow man in any way they could.  Any time I now question the very basic humanity of most people, I only have to remember the snow---and all those wonderful folks that opened their homes, businesses and hearts to all of us.    (I especially thank the good ole boys on their 4-wheelers and trucks with chains who appeared like white-out knights on "horses" to the rescue.)  

Take care and know that I love you.