Snow!

Wow, what a snow! The national weather service warned us about it, the TV casters showed us the possibility of it and the school children (also including some teachers) hoped for it, but I have yet to meet one person who whole heartedly believed snow, at least a big snow, was coming as early as Dec. 4th.

Let me begin with one statement. I love snow! Snow to me is a symbol of the holiday season even though we don’t usually see much of it until after Christmas. I like the way snow makes everything look clean and bright and I especially like the effect at night with the moon gently pushing a soft glow reflecting off the snow. Although it is a little embarrassing to admit, yes, I am one of the so-called idiots that purposely get out and drive around during a snowstorm to see the sights. Although I’m a native Berean my wife swears I am not from here when it comes to this issue. She boldly believes I must have been switch with a northerner at birth, but the truth be know I’m not the only one in this house who likes snow.

I strongly believe to be a schoolteacher is to never grow up in some respects and although my theory is not scientifically based I live the perfect case study. I first noticed my wife’s “snow problem” the first year she taught full time. She was teaching Arts and Humanities at Madison Central HS in Richmond at the time and I distinctly remember her coming home one evening after the National Weather Service issued a winter weather alert. Now Letha, my wife, did not attend public schools growing up and the idea of a day off due to snow was rather new and exciting to her. All evening she watched the TV to see the weather and what schools where already closed. Now I could write three or four pages on just that evening, but the short of it is that the despite the fact that some other school systems had already closed the snow never came. I’ve never seen a more disappointed adult in all my life than Letha was that morning and it was on that day the she swore off meteorologists and their ability to accurately predict the weather.

Now with a little history under the belt let’s jump back to present day. As most of you may know the National Weather Service issued a winter weather alert on Tuesday Dec. 3rd. Once again a few school systems closed even thought the skies were perfectly clear. All evening I listen to Letha try to convince herself the snow was not coming, the meteorologists didn’t know what they were doing and they shouldn’t get peoples hopes up. I didn’t have the heart to remind her that only school children and teachers benefit from the snowstorm and the meteorologist were not working to get hopes up, but warning those who have to get up and go regardless of weather. The next morning came and there was no snow. Letha is now the choir director at Rockcastle Co. H.S. (GO ROCKETS!) and although Rockcastle was one of the systems closed when Letha was at Central they were not going to miss a day for nothing this time.

Upon arriving to RCHS Letha began her day as usual. First period bell rang and immediately all football players were paged to go to the office. RCHS will be facing Boyle Co. in the state championship game on Saturday, so most everyone figured this was the reason for the page. Upon returning to the room the football players said pack up your things, the school is closing. Of course everyone thought it was a joke then the principle made the announcement. I can only imagine the difficulty in getting 3000 students back home only ten minutes after arriving, but it must have been a nightmare. By the time Letha left the school the roads were completely covered and the normal 30minute trip home took over an hour.

Well I guess all this talk about snow has put me in the mood to watch one of my favorite movies, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. I suggest it for anyone who likes snow or wishes to get in the holiday mood. So, until we meet again “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow”.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Chad Hembree