A week ago, we were sitting at home on New Zion Ridge working on the paper. The roads were solid ice, and nothing was moving. A week later, and it’s Groundhogs Day, temperatures are expected to be above freezing and we’ll lose some of the ice and snow. This is my favorite holiday. I think I mention that every year, but it remains true. The ancients called this day Imbolc, and it marks the midpoint between the first day of winter and the first day of spring. That means there will be six more weeks of winter, no matter what rotund rodent did or didn’t see his shadow. The weather may warm sooner and it may warm later but, either way, Spring is on her way.
That’s what will be but today I mostly want to talk about what was, particularly over the last week. There have been some surprises, and there has been some grandeur. All in all, weather notwithstanding, the week was mostly positive, particularly here in Jackson County, and we have a lot to be proud of and thankful for.
Wednesday, the Boy and I ventured to town, partly to see if we could make it and partly because it was math day and you can’t phone in a bank deposit. Much to our delight, the roads were great, even our connector to 421 was clear and easily traversed. This was relief, not just because we weren’t slipping and sliding all the way, but because I had a Dr’s appointment on Wednesday in Richmond to try and find out what the mysterious knot on my left arm might be. We figured if the roads were that good in Jackson County, they must be good everywhere else. We were sooooo wrong. All the way through Jackson County, 421 was great. When we crossed the Jackson County line going down Big Hill, things began to get dicey. By the time we reached Jackson Hollow, things began to get dangerous. We made it to the appointment and back home alright, but we were very surprised that our county had done a much better job than Madison County. Flash forward to Thursday afternoon. The Boy had a Dr’s appointment in Lexington with his hand specialist. We thought surely Lexington would be better. Surprise number two, it was worse. We actually had to put our little truck in 4WD to get up Man-O-War, which is a major artery. So, we owe major thanks to our State and County Road Departments here in Jackson County. Y’all outshone the rest and we’re very proud and grateful to you. We also had/have some pretty amazing first responders here in the county other than the Road Departments (who we often don’t think of as first responders, oddly). Our EMS, 911, Sheriff’s Department, and Volunteer Fire Departments, as well as Jackson Energy and PRTC were on the job all through the week rescuing stranded folks, providing transportation, seeing to medical emergencies, and restoring power and connection to those who lost service due to the storm. In addition, organizations like the Big Hill Jeep Club offered their services to those who needed a ride somewhere or needed something picked up. Gray Hawk Landing offered free meals to first responders, which I’m sure was a welcome thing. I know there were others reaching out to lend a helping hand, but I don’t know who they all were. Thank you all who helped in any way, big or small. This is what community is made of, and we live in a great community, particularly when it comes to helping take care of one another.
Now for the Grandeur. I don’t remember specifically what day it was last week but it was a day the sun was shining early in the morning when we were on our way to work. It actually happened a couple of times, but the first time just took our breath away. It’s a sight I will never forget. It was just at that time that the morning sun is shining through the tree branches, and with the ice on the trees, it was an absolute wonderland. It looked like every tree was made of glass from top to bottom. The ends of the branches hung with jewels that sparkled against the bright blue sky. Works can’t do it justice, really, so I hope some of you got to see it too. The only word that seems to fit it is grandeur. The sight filled the eye, the mind, and the heart with wonder. It was a good thing the roads were clear, or we might have run off them from staring, rapt with wonder, at the magical sight. It truly was a winter wonderland.
I hope you all are digging out alright, and no one suffered injury or frostbite. I hope your pipes didn’t freeze, and the power held or came back on before you got cold. I hope you looked in on one another and kept in touch with those who might have felt completely isolated without hearing from anyone. I hope you got to see some beauty and I hope the younguns got to have some fun.
This may not be the last winter storm we see here before Spring completely shakes free of winter, but I know we’ll make it through if we all stick together.
Happy Groundhog Day! Spring is on on her way! Start planning that garden, and where you’re going to plant that tree you’ve been pining for. Pun intended.
Look back with gratitude and look forward with hope, and we’ll all be ok.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here