We who are old love to regale those who are young with stories of how much tougher we had it back in the day. “Why, we only had three channels, and we had to get up and turn the knob when we wanted to switch stations.” Or “We had one phone in the house in the kitchen, and we all had to share it.” How about, “We had to do chores before school every morning!” Finally, “When I was younger, I had to walk to school, uphill, both ways, and only got to wear shoes when I was carrying my brother.”
But our best claim to our stamina and grit are the stories of huge snowfalls. The blizzard of 1978 stands out. “We used to have real winters back when I was a boy, we did. You kids don’t know what you are missing.”
Well, kids, this week’s snow and freezing temperatures are your claim to fame. Remember it, cherish it, maybe even keep a journal. Minimally, take some pictures. You want to capture this historic week.
I could be wrong, but I don’t know that Franklin County has had a level three snow emergency in decades. I certainly have not seen this much snow in Columbus since I was in college.
Our Lady of Peace Church was packed last Saturday for its 80th anniversary. Bishop Fernandes was there and about 20 students sang for the liturgy. I suspect some people came because of the threat of weather on Sunday. But Sunday’s masses were ghost towns.
How did you spend your Sunday? Did you bundle up with your screen? Did you get outside to truly experience snow that came well beyond your ankles and then come inside to drink hot chocolate with marshmallows? Did you finally tackle those Legos that you got for Christmas? Did you watch your dog frolic in the snow? Did you build a snowman or snow fort or have a snowball fight?
Trust me. The memories from this week will last a lifetime for you and you will have bragging rights when you tell your kids and grandkids about it. And that day will certainly come, sitting at the table with young children telling them about the great snow storm of 2026.
By the time you tell your story, the amount of snow you experienced will be even greater than it really was. Your snow man will grow to ten feet, and your sleigh riding adventures will be epic tales of breakneck speed and close misses with trees and people.
If you are lucky your memories from childhood will screen out lots of humdrum and not so good days. When you get older, it is times like this, times when you got to stay home instead of going to school and enjoy mother nature at is extreme that you will remember.
Beyond that, the time that you spend with your siblings, as ornery as they are, and your parents, who sometime drive you crazy, and your grandparents, who like to tell you stories about the old days even know you are restless and want to turn on the iPad, is very precious time.
I can remember vividly a huge snowfall on Long Island back when I was young. I enjoyed my unexpected time free from school, and played, it seemed for days, with my siblings, and my dog, Christopher Blue, and the neighbor kids. I sledded down Valley Road, right to the entrance of Ocean Ave where only a couple of sawhorses and smudge pots kept me out of the traffic. I told about my adventures to my parents, and later, with a phone call to my grandparents.
Sadly, my parents and grandparents are gone. What I wouldn’t give to have another snow day with them.
So, my younger friends, embrace your time. Enjoy life more than screens. Hug your loved ones and listen to your elders. You will be one yourself one day. Carpe Diem!