Here we go heading into March. February held a few surprises. Living on the coast, it is unusual to see snow. The first few years we were here, if there was any, it was hard to see and usually quickly changed to rain. There was no snowman or snowball making. Blink and you missed it. Last year was different. On our trip home from Disney World in January, there was a snow storm that had us navigating backroads to avoid trucks that had jackknifed and cars that had slid off or stalled. Nothing was open. We finally lucked into the one gas station that had one pump working. To say it was a nailbiting experience would be putting it more than mildly. Fortunately, this year, there was no road trip. 

The snow started coming down right as I was heading to bed. I awoke with it still falling and the ground covered. It brought memories of not only my childhood, but our daughters’ childhoods as well. Growing up in northern Virginia, it was rare to not have at least one big snow every year. My dad would find a big hill and take my sister and I sledding. The road right across from our home had two long downward curves. The snow and ice made it too dangerous for cars, so the police came and put out barrels at the top and bottom. They would fill them with wood and light them to make people aware of them. Children would sled during the day, but you could hear the adults having a great time sledding at night.

Those times, along with ice skating on frozen ponds and even the reflection pond in D.C. will always be cherished memories. I have similar ones of our daughters longing for and loving having snow days. The anticipation of how much snow they would wake up to made it hard for them to sleep. Those were days I didn’t have to wake them up for school as they jumped out of bed to check the weather – sometimes being disappointed.

So, this snow didn’t disappoint. Schools here were closed for days as were the schools in Charlotte where three of our grandchildren enjoyed days of sledding with friends. I love having these memories to look back on when I, and this will sound crazy, am wishing for snow. Well, the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter, so….

Now, on to March. This is one of my happy months. My sister was born on March 21st, which happened to be the first day of spring the year she was born. Our first child was due March 20th, but our precious daughter entered the world on March 21st, also the first day of spring. She shares a middle name with my sister. Easter was early that year falling on the 26th. What a blessed week it was.

Besides that lucky day, our eldest grandson was born on St. Patrick’s Day. We love to celebrate that with a special Irish stew and soda bread. It adds another reason to celebrate. Besides the fact that Ireland is one of my favorite travel destinations. 

So, if there can’t be snow on the ground this month, I will look forward to spring in all its glory. I love seeing the green leaves come back on the trees, the birds returning to our feeder, flowers waiting their turn to bloom and the overall renewal of the land. Truly, there is something good to find in every month and every season, and I am excited about each one!