It’s been years since I had a snow day. I could hardly believe it when I got the email saying our school would be closed due to inclement weather. When it snows in southern Mississippi, people make “groceries”, grits, and gumbo. We take gorgeous pictures of our snow-covered homes. It’s as if God scatters the frost just right, making us appreciate nature– showing us the personality of every single tree. Children roll up balls of snow with their bare hands. They’ve dreamed of snow ball fights. Finally, winter dreams and wishes came true.

Some Northerners may have referred to what we got as a nice dusting of snow, but that rare, fluffy white goodness brought so much joy to Mississippi’s children and families.

Even my pregnancy hormones recognized how beautifully bizarre the snow day was. I’d gone nearly a month without crying pregnant-woman-tears. And, somehow, on this particular snow day, stuff got the best of me. I forgot how adorable kids were when they crunched though snowy yards, trying to keep their balance.

I watched my girls play with folded arms wishing their dad didn’t have to work. I became worried as I watched snow accumulate on power lines and tree limbs fall on rooftops throughout the neighborhood. When we lost electricity and the temperature in the house began lowering, I became anxious. I didn’t let the girls go back outside to play out of fear they wouldn’t be able to come back into a warm home. When the snow and below freezing temperatures dramatically altered my plans for the weekend, I joined the team of people who saw the snow as an inconvenience and an obstacle to productivity. And I cried about it.

I. Was. Trippin’.

It turns out that snow in the deep south is the perfect gift for imperfect people. If I could redo the weekend, I’d appreciate the gift more. I’d let Kaylee and Karlee go back outside to play. I’d join them for hot chocolate instead of loading the dishwasher. I’d accept that plans change. I’d have more trust in God’s perfect snow plan. That plan, I’m sure, is to drop everything.

Everything.

Everything.

And make memories.

Clinnesha D. Sibley is an award-winning playwright and published poet/essayist. She is the Literary Arts Instructor at Mississippi School of the Arts in Brookhaven, MS. For more information, please visit: http://onepagerapp.com/clinneshadsibley.