Dearest Winter,
I love you. I do. You bring sweaters, boots, hot chocolate, and cuddling under blankets. In other peoples' houses, you even bring a roaring blaze in the fireplace. Along with fall, you hold all the best holidays. Heck, this year, you even brought our beautiful Noah! As seasons go, my love for you very closely follows my adoration for autumn, and is only truly surpassed by my unparalleled loathing for summer.
But, I feel as if you need to be reminded that we live in the South. In Alabama, specifically. And, in Alabama, people tend to freak out when you actually show up. Oh, not everyone thinks your beautiful snow is a sure sign of the apocalypse. There are some yankee transplants here who welcome the bite in your air as much as I do. However, we're just not ready for you down here.
In Terms of Endearment (1983), Shirley McClain said, "Grown women are prepared for life's little emergencies." This quote obviously does not apply to Southern states run by grown men. We are not prepared for any kind of real snow, i.e. the kind that actually sticks to the ground, or ice, or sleet, or any other kind of winter weather that the rest of the country can handle just fine.
We close schools, businesses, roads, and anything else we can find to close. The world ceases to spin on its axis down here if there is so much as a threat of snow.
While there are many who enjoy the time off work, "snow days," if you will, there are those of us who have doctor appointments for our babies that we need to keep, children who actually enjoy going to their preschool and would like to attend, and lives that need to be lived, no matter what the season.
I know I'm asking a lot, but would you mind backing off just a little? You can stay, you can be as cold as you want, and even continue making my hair frizzy if you want. Just, if it's quite convenient, please leave the snow and ice with those who have the money and the forethought to prepare for them.
Many Thanks,
All My Love,
HH
