Dear Parents,
I haven't seen this much snow since I left Ohio in 1971. When the media weather broadcasters predicted snow, I thought the usual light dusting, maybe an inch or so...we have over 12 inches of snow in the driveway at my daughter's house (no shovel) and on her back deck, there is up to 30 inches of accumulated snow on her patio furniture. The pictures I have uploaded have been taken at her home in West Linn where I am sitting with my grandson. She is back east with her dad who is in his final days after battling pancreatic cancer. I am literally housebound and my car is safely tucked in her garage. Until I shovel or the snow melts some, I cannot drive through the packed snow and ice even with chains--my car isn’t tall enough! Yesterday, the snowplow came down the middle of her street piling all the snow to the sides along the curb and in front of everyone’s driveway. It’s good to see our tax dollars at work. Did I say work? Well, let’s say that the person operating the snowplow exerted some energy driving the plow and lifting the lever to raise and lower the plow; but, the work is one-sided. Not only did this contribute more work to the neighborhood, the only relief Ponderosa Drive received was a one-lane, plow width scraping, for cars to attempt travel hoping that no one would come from the opposite direction on the same path.
I don’t know what road conditions are in Portland or the main thoroughfares; ours at 500-foot elevation is white, icy and unbelievably beautiful. Thank goodness for internet--I haven’t been able to send gifts off to relatives who live out-of-state. John is keeping the fires warm at our home, also in West Linn. He and Chewie have been hunkered in watching the snowplow attempt to sand our hill. The irony, the snowplow couldn’t make it either.
Despite all the flutter about the weather, it’s been somewhat surreal for me. This brought back childhood memories of playing in the snow, walking to school (we didn’t have bus service), making maple syrup snow cones (the real stuff) , putting on snow suits for recess, and eating homemade cookies and drinking hot chocolate. Gianluca, my grandson who is two years-old, and I have been busy bonding. I’ve enjoyed the one-on-one time alone with him as I do with all my twelve grandchildren. I’ve enjoyed his sweet personality, his twirling of his hair when he is tired, his boundless energy as he runs laps around the house, and his priceless hugs as he struggles with croup. It’s been hard for his parents being away. Thank goodness, for the telephone as they check in on him and keep me posted with updates. Danielle was to return tomorrow; the weather has changed those plans.
Our best-laid plans can never be absolute. That’s difficult for me; I like to plan and know what to expect. It’s difficult as an adult to live in the moment; children live in the moment ~ that’s all they know. I’ve learned a lot from the children in my life. And, I’ve grown to become a better person because of them.
Father God, I lift up our families, staff, loved ones and friends and ask that you bless and guide them. Father, this is a season of giving, loving, and remembering that you gave your Son as a fulfillment of prophesies because your love is steadfast. Thank you, Father, for all you have given me; thank you for my family; thank you for fulfilling my desire to work with children and families; thank you for my loving and supportive husband; thank you for all the support and love you send through ‘earthly angels’; thank you for the struggles for they keep me humble; thank you for faith, forgiveness and mercy through these gifts I grow spiritually. Most of all, thank you for loving me. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May God bless you and your family this season and through 2009. Ms. Patty
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