The forecast began hinting at snow. Mike and I smiled at our baby boy, unable to stiffle our happiness. Yes, mention of the word 'snow' admitedly induced an instant headache for those out on the roads. Yes, snow would surely change some of our plans and inconvenience us a bit. In our practical, responsible 'adult' minds, we should have let out a collective sigh and hoped for the storm to spin off track, missing us entirely. Then, of course, the march of day-to-day life could continue on without missing a beat. "Heavy snow likely....." Mike, the 'meteorologist' of our household began to read from his computer screen. My eyes lit up, Mike smirked, Landon shrieked and clapped his hands! That little bit of child buried deep inside all of us began to burst it's way out. We couldn't wait!
Dusk painted the sky a deep, wintery blue just as the first snowflakes began fluttering down. Landon yawned and before long his sweet eyelids drooped heavy with sleep. After laying Landon in bed, Mike and I turned on the porch light, our eyes glued to the window. The night sky trapped the light from the town below us and hung thick with the distinctive orange, foggy clouds that seem to all but promise a heaping of snow. The rhythm of the snow had picked up too, no longer a soft twirling dance, the flakes fell heavy and fast like the beat of a snare drum. The patio furniture that initially wore only a dusting of frosty white was quickly gathering powdery inches. "There is no way you are going to work tomorrow," I remarked, steeling a glance at Mike. Visions of Mike, Landon, and I laughing as we rolled, slid, and frolicked in the snow filled my head. Oh how wonderful it would be for our little family to have a snow day together! Maybe Landon would even enjoy his sled this time....
Climbing the stairs I peeked in on Landon. Still fast asleep, he was snoring pretty heavily. Not thinking much of it, I laughed it off, assuming he was just really enjoying his sleep.
When it rains, it pours....
As the light of dawn peeked it's way through the blinds, I knew instantly why Landon had been snoring so loud.
With a snort, a sniffle, and an impossibly stuffed-up sneeze, Landon woke up. He looked at me with his big blue eyes, an expression of tired, bewildered confusion painted on his face. Mama, why the heck can't I breathe through my nose and whyI do I feel so awful, he seemed to be saying. He let out a nasaly sigh, hiccuped once, and then began to wail! Here we go.....
Walking downstairs with my miserable baby, I looked out the sliding glass door. It was obvious that it had been snowing off and on all night long...and it was still snowing! The deep snowdrifts seemed to beckon for us to come play in them. How tempting, how inviting....how ironic. Taking one good look at Landon I came to the grim realization that there was NO way we would be playing in the snow. His red-rimmed eyes watered as both nostrils leaked a steady stream. With a sigh, I headed down the hallway to start steaming up the bathroom to help decongest Landon. Poor baby...
The next few days, our neighborhood was blanketed in a wintery white. Outside the house walls neighbor children squeeled with delight as snowballs flew through though the air. Families sailed down the street on sleds with a whoosh, belly laughing with glee. And Landon, emerging from his tenth 'steam treatment' of the day, moaned. Just a few more days, I kept thinking to myself, and he'll be better.
The next day temperatures rose and the snow began to melt. Not seeing any improvement in Landon yet, I was secretely relieved to see some of the snow dripping into a watery slush. At least if Landon's condition worsened to the point of needing medical attention, the roads would be passible. Knowing that gave me a sense of security.
That security was short lived.
As evening fell that day, a fine misty rain began to blow in. At first, even Mike the 'meteorologist' didn't think much of it. Not having heard any significant warnings on the news, we assumed the snow event was fizziling out, changing over to rain as predicted. It was then that I noticed the streetlight out the back window. It was illuminating a nearby tree, and something didn't look right.
"Do you see that?" I asked Mike, pointing out the window, "That tree out there. It looks like it's starting to form ice all around it's branches."
"Hmmm...," Mike replied, looking out the window for himself, "Maybe it is. But it's raining....it can't be that cold." He then shrugged it off, not worried.
But it was that cold. And getting colder....
As the night wore on, the fine mist continued and the temperature dropped....and dropped. Everything the mist landed on instantly froze. By the time morning arrived everything outdoors had a thin casing of clear, crystal shining from it. And the mist was still there, falling from the sky like small pieces of glitter. Tree tops bowed with the weight of the ice, and we watched slightly horrified as they bent lower, lower, lower.
When the lights flickered we knew things were getting serious. Then with a few final coughs and sputters, the power went out.
It was dark. It was cold. And Landon was still sick!
Thankfully, Mike fired up the generator. Being stuck inside for an entire week, Landon and I were getting stircrazy! At least we would have light and warmth.
Despite feeling crumby, Landon was happy to play with his cousin Isa who came over for the day. Being the only ones on the block with electricity, we hosted an improvised 'pizza party' later that night and Landon was thrilled to see the neighbor kids who came over to play. It was such a nice distraction for him!
A few days later, the roads finally cleared, the snow began to melt for good, and the power came back on! A new sense of relief started to set in. We were on the home stretch! Even Landon seeemed to be a little more energetic, a little less fussy. He was on the mend!
Or so we thought.....
A second full week into his nasty cold, he started taking a turn for the worse AGAIN! More congestion, more snot, more misery.
Turns out, he caught a second virus ON TOP of the one he already had.
When it rains, it pours.....
Now into his 3rd week of being sick, Landon is FINALLY starting to get better.
Parenting, yet again, has humbled me and taught me an important lesson. It's so easy to take for granted good health, a warm roof over our heads, a full plate, or a hot shower. These things, although they seem so fundamental, are not rights we are entitled to. They are not something to defiantly expect. They are, like many things in this life, a blessing to be deeply thankful for each and every day.
And today, that feeling of gratitude....knowing deep down how very blessed I am, is a gift in and of itself.
Health, home, happiness, AND Landon. I am so very thankful.
