snow days

is it REALLY already the second to last day of february!? man, how this month has flown! well, i was in asia for part of the month, and then took about a week recalibrating to life back in the States, and now i'm back and well again. 

anyway, we had our first big snow of this winter last night in Ann Arbor. it wasn't THAT BAD. but as usual, since life in AA is pretty unexciting being in semi-surburbia and an insulated and safe college town, we always have to make a big deal out of anything we can. i.e. the big chill in 2010. or the snowpocalypse that never really happened in 2011. so here we have everyone and their moms complaining about the snow, and driving on neutral at < 15 mph. but i digress... i didn't come here this morning to complain about complainers, so onto the better story.

cleaning the snow off my car on my way into work this morning, i was reminded of sweet memories from my childhood. whenever it used to snow, my dad would always wake up about an hour earlier than normal to check the road conditions and school closings for us. it was like having your own weatherman at home. (hence, probably the reason why i was never conditioned to check the weather before leaving the house, and now the cause of my frequently poor mismatched choices of outerwear nowadays.) 

then, he'd always go outside and clean all the snow off my mom's car, heat it up for her, and fill a mug of piping hot mocha or tea and leave it for her in her car's cup holder-- all this just so she could drive me to school. then, he'd come back inside, button her up in her coat, and send us off with a peck on the cheek. i used to think it was the most precious thing ever....... well actually, i still do. and when i got my license and my own car later on, he'd do the same for me. it's these small gestures of servanthood and love that bless me the most-- not words or gifts, even though i like those too-- but whether the act of service was directed towards me or someone else, it doesn't really matter. while i'd love to be the receiver, merely witnessing these jesus-like hearts to serve others are always of great encouragement to me too.

so here i was in the snow cleaning off my car this morning, partially wishing that i was still a child or at least living at home so i could reap the benefits of having someone preheat and clean my car off... but then upon finding a mug of cold soymilk in my hand, wet socks, and half covered in snow, i was yet again reminded that i'm now an adult. guess we all have to grow up at some point, and without complaint. :)

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oh, and on another note: this song came on on my drive into work this morning, and i wanted to share the lyrics with you, which say "i will love you for you / not for what you have done / or what you will become" .....yet another great reminder to start off the day.