Friends
What’s your favorite snow day memory? We had two beautiful snow days here in North Carolina last week, and the fluffy white flakes brought back some precious memories of past snow days. Good memories are a gift to be treasured, offering up a blessing every time we call them to mind. Here is my favorite snow day memory that never fails to bring a smile to my face.
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“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:11 – NIV
The back flood-lights told the tale. The fluffy white stuff was finally falling, huge flakes blanketing the ground , quickly covering the grass and flower beds. We had been waiting for the predicted snow to start falling all day, and now it poured forth from the heavens with gusto.
Six-year-old Jonathan was practically jumping out of his skin, his big, brown eyes dancing with excitement. “Can we build a snowman tomorrow, Mama?”
I grinned at him. “Sure, but we will have to see how it goes. Hopefully, we’ll have enough snow for a snowman!”
Getting Jonathan settled down for bed was a true motherly challenge, but the enticement of getting enough sleep so we would all feel good enough to play in the snow tomorrow finally did the trick. It was still snowing hard when Eric and I turned off the flood-lights and crawled into bed.
When Eric’s alarm went off the next morning, we bounded out of bed to peer through the blinds, both of us gasping in surprise. A winter wonderland lay waiting before our eyes. There was snow everywhere, weighing down tree branches, obliterating shrubs, and piling up in mounds on every flat surface. The heavens had dropped a puffy white blanket over the surface of the earth, and I couldn’t help but stare in wonder at the pristine beauty of it all.
Hastily throwing on my sweats, I rushed out to our sun porch for a better look. Eric soon joined me, his hazel eyes wide with amazement as he exclaimed, “Wow! There’s a lot of snow out there!”
As we moved from window to window, pajama-clad Jonathan came dashing into the room, his bright eyes quarter-sized as he leapt onto the couch, squealing with delight. “Mama, we get to build a snowman!” Breaking the house rules, he bounced up and down on the couch, his slender frame pulsing with excitement, so much so that his mother didn’t have the heart to tell him to stop. Grinning up at his father, he asked, “Daddy, can we go sledding
With a promise to do all of the above, we ushered our excited boy into the kitchen for breakfast. Since Eric was telecommuting from home, he knew he would be expected to show up for work, but sledding would definitely be on the agenda for later in the day.
The phone rang shortly after breakfast. Tami, my best friend and across-the-street neighbor, greeted me with, “Can you believe this snow?” We launched into the fast -paced, free-flowing conversation that had always characterized our close friendship before she outlined the plan for this snow day. “I’ve got a cake in the oven, and Linsey is ready to build a snowman. You and Jonathan come on over, and we can get the kids outside to play.” She didn’t have to ask twice. A snowman-building adventure and one of Tami’s delicious signature cakes, what could be better?
After layering up in our winter gear, Jonathan launched out the back door and bounded out into the snow-packed yard. He and I tramped around the yard, exclaiming excitedly over one sight after another. It didn’t take long for a snowball fight to ensue, and we had a blast chasing each other around the yard. Finally declaring a truce, we headed across the road toward Tami and Linsey’s house.
As Jonathan and I made our way through the yard toward Tami’s back door. He managed to accidentally fall over in the snow a couple of times, coating himself in the fluffy white powder. I had my motherly suspicions that a few of those snow dives might have been on purpose, but I played along, chuckling as I repeatedly yanked him up out of his snowy reverie.
Still laughing at his snowy antics, we tromped up to Tami’s back door, pausing only for a quick knock before turning the knob. As our snow-covered boots plopped onto the linoleum of Tami’s hallway, a mouth-watering aroma filled our nostrils, causing me to blurt out, “Oh man, does that smell good!”
Tami turned her blonde head toward me, her eyes bright with delight, “Perfect timing! My cake is ready to come out of the oven!”
As Jonathan and I peeled off our coats and stepped out of our boots, Tami leaned down and opened the oven door. If the smell had been enticing before, it was absolutely overpowering now.
Jonathan raced around the island to claim a seat at the bar while Linsey clamored up beside him. “Eyes locked on the cake pan nestled on top of the range, he asked, “What kind of cake, is it?”
“It’s a white chocolate pound cake!” Turning to me, she added, “it’s Dana’s recipe. I’ve never made it before.” Smiling, she leaned forward and stared into my son’s spellbound eyes, “Want some?” She didn’t have to ask twice!
Tami proceeded to cut each of us a slice of cake, steam rising from each piece. I popped that first warm bite into my mouth, and I was quite certain I had just died and gone to heaven! The delectable mix of sugar, butter, and chocolate flowed across my tastebuds like a warm summer rain, and I moaned with sheer delight. It was truly the best bite of cake that had ever crossed my lips!
I wasn’t the only one moaning either. Shudders of delight leaked from the children’s lips, and soon they were begging for more. Tami and I couldn’t stop either, both of us digging in for another piece. Tami even started peeling off the crusty layer on top and popping it into her mouth, grinning at me as she blurted out, “I think this is the best cake I have ever made!” No arguement from me there!
It’s been more than 27 years since that special snow day, and I still treasure that moment in my memory bank. It wasn’t just the cake that made that moment special. It was the sweet comfort of my precious son seated beside me, his best buddy beside him, and the happy face of my beloved sister from another mother standing across the counter. It was the smiles, the giggles, the moans of absolute delight. It was the sweet pleasure of food and fellowship, of bonds that went far beyond mere friendship. The four of us experienced that moment as a family, not one defined by birth or biology, but a family brought together by love.
Yes, indeed, it was the best cake ever, and a snow day I will never forget!
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“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
Proverbs 17:17 – NIV
Friends, I don’t think God would mind if we added an “or sister” to that verse, do you? I don’t know what I’d do without my sisters in Christ! Can I get an “Amen” on that?
PRAYER
O Dear Father, how gracious you are to bless us with the gift of family, both those bound to us by biology and those gifted to us by friendship. Thank You for the treasured joy-filled moments we share together, for the blessing of good food and sweet fellowship that binds us and lifts our spirits. There are so many blessings to treasure in this life You have given us: snowy days, childish giggles, mouth-watering cakes, and beautiful lifelong friendships. Help us to taste the joys of every new day and to always and forever give You the thanks and praise!
In the Blessed Name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen
Blessings,
Anita
-APS 2/24/2025
Faith Beyond Sight 