After a long day of shoveling snow and working on homework, I finally have some time to relax before I go to bed for the night. Nothing starts my day off right like waking up to 5-10" of snow. Not only is waking up to it a thrill, but getting to go out and shovel it is a blast, too. Missouri winters are awesome, let me tell you. Besides, that, though, I got to read two intriguing chapters in my Economics book. Believe it or not, I actually am finding this Econ. book interesting at the moment because we are FINALLY on the topic of capitalism, which I happen to support and agree with very much. Currently, we're at the beginnings of capitalism, but I enjoy it nonetheless.
Something happened today that does not happen too often, if at all. After shoveling snow this morning and working on some homework, I was not planning on going outside anymore. Winter weather does not happen to be something I enjoy, and so I try not to spend more time outside than I have to. However, while working on homework, I was drawn to the window. My mom shared with me that a lady down the street from us was helping a man that lives near me shovel his driveway. This was odd to me because I did not normally see this lady outside shoveling snow. After a minute or so of watching this lady help a neighbor shovel his driveway, I couldn't help but notice the man's difficulty and shortness of breath. After a shovelful or two of snow, he would stop and take a few breaths. I'm not currently sure what's wrong with him, if anything, but it appears as if he has a heart condition, as he becomes short of breath quickly. I could not sit in my room and watch my neighbors shovel a driveway by themselves just because I had homework to do. So, I put on my coat and boots, grabbed my shovel, and walked over to help.
I am not telling you this because I want credit for helping. I'm not wanting praise at all. In fact, I'm telling you this because while I was over there, I could not help but think to myself that this weather was a way to bring people, or neighbors, together. So many times I think we go through life and don't take the time to connect with as many people as we could. We have friends, co-workers, acquaintances that we talk to, have lunch with, etc, but how many of us really know our neighbors? If you do, that's fine, you're a better person than I am. But if you don't, why not? Are we too busy to introduce ourselves or give a quick hello? Today made me realize that it took a snow day and everyone staying home from work and their daily routines to actually get better acquainted with those around them.
Coming from a guy that loathes snow days and winter weather, I say, "Give me snow days, if it helps me connect with people around me, and helps me strengthen relationships with those I might not otherwise."
As a side note, it looks like more snow may be in store for us on Sunday, so it doesn't look like I will have to wait long for the next snow day. I hope the next ones turns out as good as this one was. :)
-Kory
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