The North Atlantic Snow Storm of February 2010

All of us who reside on the northeast coast of the United States have been experiencing the worst snowstorm in years. Some places have received up to 32 inches of snow in one night, and in less than a week we have already had up to 12 inches of snow piled up on top of the snow we already had. It is alleged that between four to five feet have fallen at the major airports in the metropolitan area. No wonder the planes and buses are not operating at this time. However, underground trains are running every thirty minutes.

Many people have experienced cabin fever. The roads are extremely slippery and dangerous, so the news reporters have been advising motorists to stay home. Yet there are drivers who refuse to heed the warning for whatever reason. Cars, mini-vans and SUVs are constantly being stuck in the snow as the sound of tires and snow scream with exhaustion.

In Maryland there was a government report that plow trucks are severely limited. The mayor has recalled all emergency vehicles for their own safety, because of the conditions of the road . There is a great shortage of salt and so distribution has ceased until after the storm. Maryland may in fact declare a state of emergency.

Meanwhile roofs of buildings such as churches, homes and garages have been caving in because of the weight of the snow which have accumulated for close to a week.

The winds are howling treacherously as if they are sending a warning to us. Thousands have been without electricity and warmth, and with the intensity of these winds even more houses are being threatened. At the time of this writing, the wind gust in this region has been reported at 45 miles per hour. The wind actually sounds like a siren.

Facebook is being used by many in the region to express their boredom and frustration at what seems like an overwhelming limitless pile of snow daily. The shelves of stores are virtually empty, so I imagine many households, including my own, are running very low on food supplies.

The federal government, private businesses, colleges, schools and most (if not all) places of business have been closed for the third day in a row. Perhaps the only places that are open at this time are the places catering to emergencies such as the hospitals, pharmacies and utility companies.

In spite of everything there was a snow fight in the Dupont Circle of Washington D C where even the fox 5 news reporter was being pelted with many snowballs in his face. There were also some who were skiing and sledding wherever they could. It is good to know that people can have fun regardless.

As we approached this new year. I am sure none of us anticipated such a crisis. Yet there are several lessons that we can and should learn from this experience. A picture is worth a thousand words, so take a birdseye view of what we are experiencing:

Please note that it was very difficult to take the photos during the storm because of the impending wind and the overwhelming spray of snowflakes caused by the wind. In addition, these photos were taken from an open garage door. I could not venture outside because there was too much snow on the ground combined with too much wind. Hopefully, when the blizzard is over I will have more photos available.

It is now one week after the first blizzard began, so I updated this hub. Things are slowly getting back to normal, but I have not been brave enough to drive on the road. I thought I would make a snowman today with the children, but they complained about being too cold. Unfortunately we had to desert the snowman before he was complete.

However, we did take some photos. A truck driver attempted to clean the road. A neighbor across the street was apparently not too happy with where he was dumping the snow, so she kept complaining. She insisted that she use his shovel to clear any dumped too close to her. I guess it is difficult to please everyone.

The first thing I reflected on is that we take for granted so many things in life. We are blessed with so many things daily yet we tend to take them for granted. However, when we do not have these things anymore, some of us tend to grumble and complain. Some act as if the world revolves around them. They act as if their complaining will change anything. As they do so, they tend to neglect the so many other blessings that God has bestowed on them. I honestly believe that an attitude of griping, complaining and finding fault is blatant ingratitude.

We are still trying to understand the misery that Haitians recently experienced with a massive earthquake that killed and injured so many. Yes, many of us have helped financially and or through our prayers. As we on the east coast endure a blizzard, let us remember that there are people who are still less fortunate than us in different parts of the world.

In addition, life is unpredictable. We are never usually adequately prepared for the surprises life has to offer us. Let us therefore have a spirit of gratitude at all times. Be thankful for everything and everyone. Let us remember to tell family members and friends how much we love them, because we may never get the opportunity the next day.

I applaud Kirk Franklin and friends with their efforts to have us pause to think of the suffering in Haiti as we consider and act on ways to bless them:

This is the time for us to do the things that have been on our minds that have been pushed in the background. Sometimes we focus on the things that are not really that important at all. What can be more important than spending time with those we love, our families and friends, certainly not a day at work.

This may very well be the time to enjoy the company of our parents, children, siblings or friends. In addition, some of us tend to be so busy rushing to and from work that we have lost the art of relaxing, enjoying that quiet moment to meditate on the Scriptures. This is the time to do just that. What a great opportunity.

There are so many things we can do with this time that we have during this snow storm. Let us use the time wisely since we will never have the opportunity to do some things ever again.

I had the opportunity to attend a funeral yesterday in spite of the snow. It was worth the effort. I have discussed a partial observation of life in my blog which can be read below:

It does not take much effort to grumble, bicker, find fault and complain when things go contrary to our desires. However, it takes maturity to see things differently.

There was a prophet of old named Habakkuk who was facing a severe famine, but he chose to have a positive attitude regardless. He wrote:

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.*

*New Living Translation of Habakkuk 3: 17 - 19.

I encourage everyone regardless of the situation being faced, even if it is a winter blizzard, to adopt the attitude that the prophet Habakkuk had. He decided to look at the good that existed in spite of his bad experiences. What about you? Did you remember to be thankful today?

Finally, we should never forget each night before we retire to bed that we have no guarantee that we will see the next day. We are taught in the Bible to not let the sun go down on our wrath. Jesus taught us that if we forgive others our Heavenly Father will forgive us also. In addition, we may never get the chance to forgive others if we do not practice doing so immediately.

When we live the way we were intended to live we can experience a peace that is not understood by the world. Nothing in this world can replace that peace. As I have mentioned in so many of my hubs, we need to practice living each day as if it is our last. We should enjoy everything that it has to offer us. Sometimes that sense of urgency that we have on our minds should be attended to immediately. It may very well be that we were created to perform that task, and we should also make a special effort to do whatever is on our mind the same day. As the saying goes, never put off for tomorrow what can be done today.