A Christmas Memory: Once Upon a Real Time

Once upon a time, there was a snowstorm. Only, it wasn't the fairytale kind of once upon a time; it was once upon a real time. And snowstorm hardly seems a sufficient description for the kind of storm and snow involved, but perhaps I had better back up in my storytelling anyway.

Once upon a time, there was a college student - me. I went to school in one state and my family lived in another state. If my geography were better, I would tell you how many states away from each other we were. But please don't be too harsh on my geography professors when I tell you the precise number of states was lots.

I had quite easily in the beginning of the fall traveled this route from my parents' home to school, experiencing for the first time what is affectionately known as a puddle jumper. Flying in a plane where there wasn't room for a drink cart to come down the aisle was a brand new, eye-opening adventure. But I had mastered it - or rather I had learned that pilots had mastered it so to accept it.

The trip home was joyous. My semester had ended. I was on Christmas Break - holiday, vacation, rest and all that goes with it. My family and Christmas were waiting on the other end of my journey. Excitement filled me.

Christmas day festivities and family time renewed me and filled me with love and laughter.

Unfortunately, Christmas break like marshmallows in your warm cocoa melts away until no remnants are seemingly left. The time came to return to my studies. I braced myself for the trip back to the world of students. However, the snowstorm had envisioned a different end to my Christmas break.

No flights were leaving my little airport. Being a young college student, I felt panic and shock. My classes would start without me… How would I ever catch up? Like standing too close to the Christmas tree and seeing only a blur of light, I worried and became caught up in the small sight I saw.

Eventually, the snow along with my vision cleared. I did make it to the semester having missed some days of classes, but what a blessing to be granted more time with my family. Additionally, when I returned my roommates warmly greeted and helped me. My transition back to classes didn't go the way I had planned.

Unplanned for lessons came to me - the importance of family, the value of friends, the impact of weather. I thought of struggling pioneers who, once upon a real time, walked from their homes in the East to find new places to live in the West, who followed their beliefs and hopes and dreams. I thought how planes couldn't fly in this weather, but these brave and valiant people walked the distance despite the weather. They survived on faith and courage. And I could learn this lesson too, even once upon a real time in a snowstorm.