Blizzard of 2011 and Blizzard of 1967 No Comparison

On February 1, 2011 the snow started falling in Jackson, Michigan. For several days before the National Weather Service had predicted Michigan along with many other states would be hit by the worst blizzard in history. Several reports compared the coming 2011 blizzard to the blizzard of 1967. In my personal opinion, having experienced both of these blizzards there was no comparison.

On January 27, 1967 I was almost 12 years old and still remember the blizzard. Yes, I had an experience that etched the day in my memory forever and it was not a good one but I am here today to tell about it.

My parents were renting an old farm house just south of Jackson, Michigan. The house was part of a large dairy farm and there were over 1,000 acres of farmland to explore along with barns and other farm buildings. Living in that house with my parents and two younger sisters I have some very happy memories but the blizzard of '67 was not one of them.

In the field back behind our house was a great hill for sledding, my friends and I spent hours back there dragging our sleds up the hill and flying down only to turn around and repeat the process. On this particular day none of my friends were around and I talked my Mom into letting me go out to the hill alone. We would both regret that later.

The hill was situated so as long as I stayed on the side facing the house Mom could see me from the back porch. That was one of the stipulations of her allowing me to go alone, I had to stay on that one side of the hill which I did. Mom stayed at the house with my little sisters (2 and 4 at the time) and I enjoyed my freedom and fresh air on the hill.

After an hour or so it started to snow but I didn't think anything of it and headed up the hill for one last run before returning home. That was my mistake! By the time I got to the top of the hill the blue skies had given way to dark grey clouds and the snow was falling harder and harder.

I remember thinking to myself I had better get home fast and as I sat on my sled pointed it towards the farm house thinking the closer I got to home the less walking in the snow I would have to do. I flew down the hill with the snow pelting me in the face making it sting and forcing me to close my eyes, we didn't have snow goggles in those days.

When the sled stopped moving I knew I was in trouble. The snow was coming down so hard not only could I not see the house but I couldn't even see the huge barn I knew I had to be fairly close to. I was scared now! I wanted to cry but had my wits about me enough to know if I cried the tears would freeze my face fore sure.

I took the rope to my sled in my hand and started to walk. I was walking blind because the snow was now coming down so hard and the wind blowing so fast I couldn't see anything but white. My decision was, "If I walk straight eventually I'll hit the fence row. Once there all I have to do is follow it and it will lead me to the house. "

It seemed like I walked for hours and each step got harder and harder. I was tired and cold and scared. What if I passed the house? The field I was in was big, several acres, if I continued to follow the fence I could walk for days or at least until I froze to death and they would find me and my sled in the back of the field come spring.

It was just about this time I heard a voice. It was a familiar voice although muffled by the wind and heavy snow. "Faith, Faith, Faith." It was coming from behind me, it was my Mom, she was calling me, I had passed the house but I was thrilled. I turned around with my sled still in tow and followed the voice.

I didn't know much of anything about God or praying back then but I remember thinking out loud, "Keep calling me Mom, and please don't stop before I find you." As I backtracked along the fence I could still hear her comforting voice. I tried to call out to her but I was so tired from walking and fighting the wind nothing came out.

When her voice started to sound further away again I decided it was time to cross the fence. With what I was sure was my last ounce of energy I lifted my sled and dropped it on the other side of the fence then climbed the wire myself and quickly turned towards the sound of Mom's voice. It couldn't have been more than 20 or 30 feet from the fence to the house. I knew I could make it as long as she kept calling my name.

I wasn't but 10 feet from the back steps of the house when I actually saw the house. But best of all I saw my Mom standing on the back step, calling me home. She ushered me into the kitchen and started stripping boots, snow pants, hat, scarf, and mittens off me. She warmed my hands and feet with her hands and wrapped me in warm cloths.

All the time I kept looking at my Mom. I could tell she was fighting tears. She kept apologizing for not coming to get me but she couldn't leave my sisters alone and didn't figure she would be able to find me in the snow anyway. I understood and was just happy to be safe, warm, and home.

It's funny the things we remember. Mom and I reminisced about that day, the blizzard of 1967, today, after the blizzard of 2011. I remember every second of that time alone in the field. What Mom remembers is walking to the end of the road in snow up to her waist to get milk from the milkman who couldn't come down our road because it hadn't been cleared.

No, there is no comparison between the two blizzards. I stayed awake all night on February 1st, 2011 and never once was there a time I couldn't see the house across the street or the tree in my front yard. Today I walked around town for over an hour taking pictures and never once did I come to snow higher than mid-calf deep. When I got home I was actually hot and happy to take off my heavy coat and boots.

Thinking back to that day in 1967 I am very thankful that Mom didn't give up, that she didn't stop calling my name. That day could have ended very differently if she had!

Oh, and an added note, some people may ask why I hauled my sled with me and used my last ounce of energy to lift it over the fence. Very simply put - I was afraid my dad would be upset if I lost my sled and how was I going to go sledding again if I lost it. Remember, I was 11 my sled was very important to me.

For more information on the Blizzard of 2011 check out my article "Aftermath of the blizzard of 2011 in Jackson Michigan"