My wife, my son (Trey) and I were all off work and school yesterday in observance of Martin Luther King JR Day, and normally we would’ve busied ourselves with fun. We wanted to see a movie and/or visit Trey’s five-year-old nephew and baby niece (our grandchildren), but weather didn’t cooperate. It was bitter cold, snowing off and on all day and the roads weren’t clear.
So we stayed in and made it a movie day. We made the most of it.
At some point Trey and I bundled up, braved the cold and snow, and started both our vehicles, so the engines wouldn’t be harmed by the frigid temps. We let them run for 15-20 minutes and cleared off all the snow and ice.
While we were cleaning off Trey’s car, he surprised me by throwing a handful of snow in my face. Now, contrary to what we see in the movies, this didn’t automatically spawn laughter and a snowball fight. My first reaction was to say, “C’mon, buddy, it’s freezing outside. Let’s just get this done.”
But then I realized this was yet another opportunity for a “moment” for us as father and son, so AFTER saying that, I returned the favor by dousing him with snow.
Later, after we’d thrown all our soaking-wet clothes into the dryer and warmed up, I jumped on Facebook a bit. I was delighted to see a pic of my niece, Jen, and her three-year-old son, Gus, who also dared to get out and play in the snow a bit. A couple people made comments about how cold it was, but she responded by saying they weren’t outside very long, and had bundled up nice and tight. They’d stayed out long enough to let little Gus “release his wriggles,” as Jack Black says on “Nacho Libre.”
Seems we’d all read the weather alert, stating that “skin exposed for more than 30 minutes could be in danger of frostbite,” so we bundled up extra-heavy and just stayed out a few minutes. It was fun.
It was one of those “stop and smell the roses” kind of moments. Same concept as when my family stops for a couple minutes to enjoy the stunning beauty of sunrises and sunsets.
“It is refreshing, and salutary, to study the poise and quietness of Christ. His task and responsibility might well have driven a man out of his mind. But He was never in a hurry, never impressed by numbers, never a slave of the clock.” ― J.B. Phillips
Everyone is in a hurry these days, and that rushed feeling is definitely contagious. I’ll be trying my hardest to take things slow and steady on a weekend drive when we have no set schedule or time constraints, but inevitably end up driving like a maniac.
Before I know it I’m changing lanes and calling other drivers names, as if we were running late to work.
“Why are you in a hurry?” my wife will ask.
“I don’t know,” I’ll shrug. “Like my dad says, if I’m driving somewhere, I just wanna get there.”
Our 21st century society will try and con you into living life in a rush, but don’t be suckered in.
Slow down, take your time and catch your breath. Life goes by fast enough without us hurrying it along.
As I’ve said before, there’s so much beauty in this life if we take time to slow down and appreciate it. I think beauty, laughter, rest and recuperation help to chase the blues away. Just my opinion.
And don’t let it stress you when you’re covered in snow; the laughter of your friends and family will be payment enough for the hassle.
Broken People 