First Snow

Yesterday about 2 - 3 inches of snow fell in the DC area. While Hadley was around for her first snow last year, she could've cared less. This year she was quite interested in it. Here are a few pictures: (By the way, this part of our condo is her favorite spot. Anyone in the Lewis family notice a resemblence to where Geoff and I would like to sit in the house?)

Along with the first snow is the reminder that people around these parts have no clue how to manage it. For example, on our front steps is a nice, thick layer of kitty litter. So not only do I get to step on an inch or two of ice, I get to step on kitty litter and carry it around all day. Walking down the steps with one hand tightly gripped around the banister and the other around Hadley I cursed myself for wearing heals (But can you blame me? It's my birthday for Pete's sake. I wanted to feel like the stylish young thing I once was). Hadley thought this was all very amusing since we were walking so slowly down the steps and sidewalk.

When the snow fell yesterday we didn't leave the house as Hadley and I both have colds. So Hadley and I greeted our snow covered car and I wondered why I always say I like the snow so much.

Grumbling about having to wipe off the ice and snow off the car, I kept my eye on Hadley who was mesmermized by what I was doing. I relaxed a little since she seemed to be content and remembered the first time I had to wipe snow off my car. It was in the parking lot of Covenant Christian School around 8 or 9 on a December night (Some of you know that I could say the exact date, but I won't). Laura, the teacher who I was to replace in January, was "showing me the ropes" that week and we were at school every day at 5 in the morning and didn't leave until late each night. Every night that week it snowed heavily. On this night, when we were getting ready to leave, I told Laura I was going to make a few copies before I left. She told me that she'd meet me outside. When I walked out of the school, I saw Laura wiping off my car.

Laura and I didn't always know how to interact with one another because of the circumstance we were in. I was walking into her classroom, teaching her kids, using some of her materials. Not only that, but we were both going through big transitions - she was moving and having a baby, and I was getting married and starting my first official job. Emotions were high when we talked to each other and sometimes we danced around hurting each other's feelings.

But in the end I was grateful for all Laura showed me about how she ran her classroom at CCS. She was very generous, and the night I walked out of the school overloaded with books and teaching materials in my hands I was overwhelmed at her gesture of wiping snow off my car.

So this morning when I wiped snow off our car and watched Hadley watching me, I remembered why I liked winter, snow, ice, hot chocolate with marshmellows, the red Starbucks coffee cups, the word "kick up", and walking down snow covered stairs in heels I shouldn't have worn. Despite the craziness of the season, if you look for it you see that it can bring out the best in people.