empty praise

I am thankful for the snow and “Arctic Blast 08″ or whatever the silly news producers have decided to name this storm system. (Because anything outside of “40 and rainy” from November through February in the Northwest gets a name, much like hurricanes and tropical storms. Yet, it’s all a bit wannabe, like actors on the CW.) Anyway…back to the snow “storm” we are having.

It makes me laugh, it makes me slow down, it makes me feel like a kid again as I watch all the school closures and still feel some sort of giddy relief that I am off the hook. (Somehow I just don’t think my kids will know what that means though.)

Today was sweet and cozy, cold and fun and ultimately laid back despite kids who bounced.off.the.walls. We had soup I made yesterday in preparation(!) and we walked with giant snowflakes falling to get coffee, and we even finally got around to decorating one of the best Christmas trees we’ve ever had.

As I was sitting here tonight, content even though my toes are actually still cold, Nate wanted to watch a bit more of the “treachery” as he loves to call the news. It really is all so entertaining! We shook our heads at the driving debacles and laughed at the dramatic recaps from reporters squinting through the snow while freezing their Columbia-clad arses off live from Sylvan Hill…oh man.

In bedtime preparations, we were sharing how we are slightly concerned about Calum particularly not staying warm enough tonight. I started thinking a little prayer…not necessarily intending to pray, but it was the kind of prayer that comes out of the place of concern and realization that I can’t control everything…so I was asking the Lord for a little peace (for me) and extra warmth (for my little buddy.)

Then as the news was on in the background they did a little ‘feature’ on how all the overnight shelters around Portland had to open up at 11am this morning because of how many homeless people are in the area and in such need for covering. I don’t know. This isn’t a blog post to make anyone feel guilty, or me to feel better as if I am so “in tune” with other people’s needs…because really, I’m not. We enjoyed our day, and I am glad for that. I spent time taking pictures and eating yummy soup and pretty much oblivious to anything outside of my own comforts.

I think I am just processing how the news team wants our snow day pictures submitted and wants to remind all of us what to do in case of power outtages (especially how to get their news updates on our cell phones!)…and… I’m just wrestling with navigating through thankfulness while having a little stirring to be aware and listening for needs because I’m comfortable but I don’t want to be ignorant-comfortable.

Would I feel better if Botoxed Tracy Barry made a point to ask all of us tucked into our houses watching the news to remember to donate to the food banks or the shelters who will be facing overload this week as we face Arctic Blast? I think I would like it if they did. I need that type of in-my-face reminder that sometimes my content days are somebody else’s difficult days. That’s how it (life) all works, and I know it. (Man, I’m sure I sound like a downer.)

I am thankful, deeply thankful, contentedly thankful, humbly thankful for the provisions for my family and for the great day that we had together. I am thankful because it seems like lately “great days” are few and very far between. I am thankful that our power is on and that we have layers of clothes at our disposal. I am thankful for the extended weekend and canceled meetings. I’m thankful for a coffeepot and full cupboards. I’m thankful that for our family, a snow day was a provision of time together, new memories and space to slow down and snuggle.