by Nancy Quinn

Created on: January 10, 2010

"You don't have to watch the TV announcements. I can tell by looking outside that there isn't school today." The twins nodded, but remained glued to the screen. There was something about seeing your school's name flash across the screen that somehow made it official and they weren't going to miss it.

Rinsing the last dish, Julie turned from the sink in time to see the victory dance and heard the hushed whispers. "Mom's going to bring out the box today." They conspired knowingly, and she smiled. The twins were in sixth grade this year, but the "box" had become a tradition long ago; treasures, games and special snacks to bring out when they were snowed in. And as long as they asked for it, Julie would accommodate their winter fun expectations.

"Mom, where's my boots?" called out Mandy, scarves and gloves flying out of the closet. Her sister Elaine expertly caught two matching gloves as they flew past her.

"They're in the back of the closet." Called out Julie. She knew there was no use in making the suggestion to wait until it stopped snowing. The girls wanted to explore the drifts and make at least one snow tunnel before they came inside for the traditional hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Julie watched from the warmth of the house as the twins jumped into drifts. She smiled as she remembered long ago memories. "I guess it doesn't matter how old you get." She mused, "Snow brings out the kid in all of us." She hesitated only a moment and then couldn't resist joining the girls. Mittens and scarves began flying out of the closet as she searched for her own boots to join in on the winter frolic.

The girls squealed with delight as they each received a well aimed snowball at their backs. The fight was on and the girls were winning. Too soon, exhaustion took over. They lay in the snow side by side, slowly making snow angels as the snow continued to blow and drift in front of them. "I guess we'll have to redo these angels when the snow stops later." Said mom.

They made their way back into the house and the cold weather gear soon lay all over the entryway floor, tiny puddles gathering beside the three pairs of boots. Being snowed in happened often in the mountains, and they were always prepared with supplies and their traditions. Mandy grabbed a heavy pan, mom grabbed the milk and hot chocolate packets, and Elaine grabbed the marshmallows and Oreos. Mom looked over and smiled. Even though the twins were identical, their tastes were different, and no one could match Elaine's sweet tooth.

With steaming cups of cocoa soon on the table, the box came out and the girls planned their day. "Ooh, let's play Pictionary first!" suggested Mandy, the artist in the family. Elaine groaned, but knew it was her sister's turn to choose first. She remembered she had chosen Stratego last month to play first when they were snowed in just three weeks ago.

Julie sipped her cocoa and allowed a feeling of contentment to rise from the tips of her toes to her heart where she always held her girls. While many of her neighbors on the mountain dreaded the inclement weather that so often came, her little family enjoyed it. And yes, almost always looked forward to it. Being snowed in for the Carlson family will always mean togetherness, family time, and a big box of fun and memories that her children would someday carry on to begin new winter traditions with their families.

Learn more about this author, Nancy Quinn.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.