Wow, what a weekend it has been!! We had been hearing predictions of this huge storm hitting, but how many times have we heard that this year with no storm to speak of?? Well, this time they couldn't have been more RIGHT!
Friday night we ventured home from Traverse City in a blizzard that caused the short 15 minute trip to take much longer. Luckily, I was following Ken and my mom so I had a clear view of what was ahead of me... until all the snow on the roof of my car decided to obscure my whole windshield! Thank goodness for strong windshield wipers. The heart was pounding then! Once safely home around 11:15, the power began to flicker and completely die. Which left me with a candle, and the little thrill of excitement that I always feel when I am reduced to depending on candlelight and a capable husband. We woke up to a cold house, but not too bad, at least I had my own personal heater in bed next to me all night. The water supply ran out much faster than it seems it should have. I was so glad I had a gas stove to aid in putting a steaming mug of tea in my cold hands, and old gloves to cut the fingertips off of so I could function, and CARHARTTS :)
Oh my goodness was it beautiful outside! I wish I had pictures to share. Everything was solid white, the branches of the trees were so laden with snow that they touched the blanket below. When I woke up Peter was out clearing our drive with his brother's large tractor. Which gave me the opportunity to leave our little house and see what it looked like in Leelanau County. It was seriously breathtaking. My truck was so warm and sturdy on the barely plowed roads that lead to the Spinniken farm. What a blessing it was to have a safe haven where there was warm food, fellowship and a generator to run the furnace and one outlet strip. My wonderful husband who thrives on this kind of thing, was in action all morning clearing snow, retrieving vehicles, and getting the generator running. My phenomenal in-laws seemed so joyous at having the chance to get family all together to hunker down and wait it out together. Mom-in-law made a pot of chili with grandma's help. I found myself feeling that it could go on for days and I would be happy and taken care of.
Cousin Amy and Aunt Kathy came with the boys, Carson (3) and Liam (4months). What life and entertainment they brought with them. Carson is constant fun and excitement and Liam was so fun to get to know better. He is so smiley and sweet. I enjoyed cuddling him while he slept and I enjoyed even more watching Peter spend time with him.
The best part of a storm is the moment when it gets dark and all the candle must be lit. There is something so different and so peaceful about moving around the house in candlelight. You can't get much done, you can't be distracted by phones, computers, television, appliances... nothing. You can barely even see a book. So you are forced into simplicity. Grandma and Dad told stories about the past. We heard more about the Grandpa that Alissa and I never had the privilege of knowing. Pete is so like him, and I love hearing about the man he resembles in so many ways. We heard again the story of how Peter's first time driving the tractor he was only 4 years old! Needless to say he was only steering since his feet didn't reach :) But he was the only one on that tractor and I can only imagine how proud and important his little four year old self felt! We heard again how amazing Grandpa's raspberries were. That he could grow the most delicious and fruit laden plants. It is a beautiful thing to see how sorely missed he still is. But he sure has left a legacy and I can only hope I have a little boy to follow in his daddy, grand daddy and great grand daddy's footsteps!
Peter and I spent the night in our own 48 degree home. Thank goodness he is so warm, and we had four quilts on the bed! A hot shower was available in the morning at Spinniken's, thank goodness! That was the only thing I missed.
The point of this very long-winded post is to say that the things we rely on every single day were taken away from us this weekend. And I am so grateful. I love that the Lord gently takes away that which we take for granted. I love that he uses the simplicity to show us deeper and richer things to be thankful for. I love that he gives us stories, the stories we tell about the past when all ears are listening, and the stories that were made this weekend. I love that the loss of distractions bring everyone together. Every person I passed out shoveling their drive stopped to wave at the one lone car driving by. We were all united by our losses. The so-called state of emergency was just what we needed to slow the heck down and be peaceful. We all had plans of working on houses, cleaning up kitchens or finishing laundry. But sometimes we just need to be still. That's where gratitude is found, that's where relationships are built and best of all, that's where our loving and patient Father is waiting for us to return to His presence, in the stillness and the simplicity. We don't need all the crazy things we have come to rely on, we need God and we need each other. Now I just pray that I will go forward with more gratitude for that which we do have needlessly. A hot shower every day, running water and flushing toilets, bright shining lights anytime we want, phones to connect across the distance, microwaves, ovens, coffee pots.... pinterest ;)
Now I'm sure you've guessed by now that I have highlighted everything I was thankful for this weekend. It's kind of fun to realize how much there was when we felt like we had nothing. And reading back over it I am overcome with gratitude for my little life here in Leelanau, married to someone who makes weekends like this something to cherish, blessed with a family that I just love sitting around the house with. What a rich and beautiful life I have been handed. Honestly, I bet you wish you had been holed up at Spinniken's during the storm of 2012!!
