snow disappointing

The snow is falling outside tonight, and it is absolutely beautiful. It would be more so if there were about 6 inches of it covering the ground. I can just picture it, with an almost full moon tonight--that stillness and silence and the brilliance of a bright moon upon the snow that brings you a certain peace that is hard to describe. The meteorologists had predicted that we could have that much snow accumulate, but do you know how much they are now saying we could have by the time this whole "winter weather event" has ceased tonight? ONE inch! One measley inch. Obviously, I am disappointed.

My disappointment is eased, however, because my friend, Heidi, is in town from Michigan, by way of Maryland where her husband is finishing up his officer's training with the Army. She and her oldest daughter, Emma, are visiting, and I couldn't be happier about it. Thanks to free long distance, we talk on the phone so often that it doesn't feel like I rarely see her. But tonight, when she pulled into the driveway, it warmed my heart to see her smiling (and always beautiful) face. We will certainly have fun having some girl-time this weekend! Paul and Anderson are at the NC State basketball game (they are playing Miami) with Paul's sister, Penelope, and her husband and three boys, so I know they are all having fun just being together as well.

I know my sister, Anna, is especially disappointed about the snowfall (or lack thereof), too. She is a Peter Pan like me (you have to read the previous post to understand). Well, Anna...we'll keep praying, and I believe that before this winter ends, we'll have some snow to play in! And if not, there is always a ski resort not too far away!

**Added later tonight: I received a phone call not too long ago from Anderson. "Hey Mom. Did you see the end of the game?" I could hear the shear excitement in his voice. "No, what happened?" The one time I checked the score on the television was when Emma's movie ejected from the DVD player and the game appeared on the screen automatically. State was down by at least two points with less than two minutes to play, so I turned it off because I've learned that it is better for me to avoid the anxiety I feel during a 'nailbiter'. "Gavin Grant stole the ball with five seconds left and scored! State won!" We celebrated together for a moment when he interjected, "Dad about had a heart attack." We laughed, and I added, "That's why they call them the 'Cardiac Pack', honey." Fifteen minutes later they walked in the door, grinning from ear to ear. Paul was still a bit intoxicated with all of the excitement, so he sat down to take a breath and retell the story to Heidi and me once again. He and Anderson sat with our three nephews--Travis, Spencer, and Daniel--and Paul said they were all WILD with excitement at the end of the game, screaming, jumping, and cheering together. What fun.

My boys had a great night. Their joy, and the delight it brought my soul just sitting, talking, and laughing with my friend, ensured that I had a great night, too. I realize now that if we had significant snow accumulation, Paul and Anderson would have missed being at this game. Not only that, but they would have missed Anderson's basketball game which his team WON and in which he played very, very well (and after last week's fiasco, we are more than pleased about that). On top of that, Heidi may not have made the trip here, either. So, I thank the Lord tonight that He has shown me, yet again, that there are blessings behind disappointments--something better is always on the other side of them. We just have to get past them to find it.