Snow Day

A snowstorm hit Minnesota today.  I woke up listening to the sounds of children playing in the snow.  I turned on the TV to check to see if today was a snow day for the kids in our neighborhood.  I soon discovered that it was and that many other districts had cancelled school due to the snow.

It was the joy I heard in the laughter of the children that made me sure that it was a Snow Day! I can remember how excited my children were whenever school was cancelled on a Snow Day.  It was a time to get the snow-pants  hats, and gloves on to frolic in the snow.  Suddenly, our yard was decorated with snow angels, snowmen, snow forts, sledding paths, and the remnants of snowball fights.  After making arrangements to stay home from work, I would help them get ready for the outdoors, watch them play from the windows, and have hot chocolate ready when they came inside.  It is amazing how the gift of a day at home to play in the snow can give a child so much joy.

I discovered today that it's not only children who are enjoying today's Snow Day.  As I was listening to the radio this morning, I heard the husband of one of the hosts regaling us with his excitement about having a day off from work in his district.  Angel lives his life filled with joy, and it was infectious to hear about it on the radio.  I was laughing and smiling at his stories; it was a great way to start my day!  I also noticed that several friends on Facebook were excited about having the Snow Day.  This was a refreshing change from hearing about the trials of driving to work.

Adult activities are different from the activities of children on Snow Days.  My friends were choosing to go back to bed (that gets my vote!) or prepare breakfast.  One was organizing drawers and cupboards.  Obviously, they were also accessing the Internet.  Others spent the day in physical activities: snow shoveling, snow blowing, and snowshoeing.  I took the opportunity to catch up with a friend on the phone, because I knew he would be home.

I don't know if you have ever heard about a lagniappe.  It means "an unexpected gift; a little something extra" and comes from New Orleans.  I believe that a Snow Day is truly a lagniappe.  No matter what you did today, I hope you truly enjoyed your unexpected gift.  If you have a chance, share with us what you did to celebrate your Snow Day.

Have you found your joy today?