For many it served as a reality check. Mother Nature is truly in control of our lives. Despite the extreme chaos and disarray the storm caused, I believe it had a positive effect on my community.
It is true that people were stranded, stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Lake Shore Drive, involved in accidents and hit by piercing ice and wind. More stories here.
However, the extreme wind and about two feet of snow was a reprieve at the rear-end of winter, a time when depression rates sky rocket and motivation to work is lacking. The snow day allowed many kids across the country too take a breather. As a junior in high school, a day to sleep in was more appreciated than I could have imagined, and a day to collect myself was well needed as sometimes life seems wholly focused on schoolwork and college.
I went snowshoeing today. While enjoying nature, the beauty of the snow and the blowing wind, I saw more of my neighbors out than I can ever remember. My neighbors were out helping each other: shoveling snow, sharing hot coffee, and lending each other a hand to start snow mobiles, cars and water heaters. It was unfortunate that the entire city was put on a standstill, however, my community seemed to come closer today as a result of the third largest snowfall in the history of Chicago. People seem to come together in the worst of times, and I think it's important that we all remember that it's okay to ask others for help and it's okay to relax, and take a day to take care of yourself (as well as your towed car, icy sidewalks and cold friends).
I saw the same thing in my neighborhood. My dad always snowblows the driveways around the block and usually it goes unnoticed because there is very little snow. But yesterday, we received coffee cakes and checks and warm thank yous. Its surprising to see how inclement weather can effect the attitudes of those around us. I also ventured out in my car to visit my friend at his house because he was sick and wanted some human contact ;-) My car got stuck in a snow bank because the village of wilmette didn't plow all the streets (they hadn't been to highland ave since the middle of the night) and this incredibly nice man and his family brought their snowblowers and shovels and pushed me out of the bank. Its unfortunate it takes a blizzard to see this side of people.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn,
ReplyDeleteI think I saw you snowshoeing!!! Good for you. I couldn't agree with you more. Seriously, these past two snow days...honestly was like a spring break in my mind. They both have equal affect on my mindset. I think I can speak for all of us that winter has been completely exhausting. Its been long, cold, hard (school wise). I felt like there wasn't much to look forward too. Yet the snow day really instilled hope in my mind! Its amazing that one little break can change my attitude completely. Then something definitely goes to say for the community as well...are we all working TOO hard? Pushing ourselves TOO much? What if we didnt have these two magical snow days...
Guys, I DEFINITELY agree. I spent most of those two days sleeping on the couch, and let me tell you it was awesome. However, whenever I would wake up and watch the news that was playing, there would be a different person going on about how awful that storm was. Some people were stuck on Lake Shore Drive for TWELVE hours, and a total of ELEVEN people died as a result of the storm. While I also saw a lot of positive attitudes in m community, I saw even more complaining and cussing on TV. I think it caused equally as many bad moods.
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