I have to be honest. I had the worst time getting up and going to work today. It was 5:15 AM and I should all ready have been out of bed...but it was so cold. I had to rush to work still half-asleep in a cold rain but I managed to make on time. I'm glad I did.My retail day started like normal. We had received a shipment and we were working on a deadline. But as we were working, someone's cell phone rang. I hear, "Snow? In Kenner?" Now we're a tight-knit group of workers but we're not usually a cheery bunch this early in the morning.
But the word had been said. SNOW. I could feel the elation in the room at the possibility of snow just under 4 years from the last time we saw snow here - Christmas Day 2004 (the last white Christmas was in 1954). A few minutes later another phone rings. "In Metairie? Really?" Now we're just all plain ignoring work completely and making excuses for sudden breaks. We were underground, after all, and had no idea what was going on outside. But it wasn't snowing yet.
Disappointed, we were going to go into the mall and get some coffee. Realizing I didn't have my wallet, I turned around and told my coworkers I'd catch up with them. Heading back into the store, just before getting to the elevator I turn to hopefully look out the window (in the Christmas Shop) one more time before going back to the dingy and cold basement.
There it was. Just that quickly. I had turned around for less than a minute and the sleet had become a flurry beautifully framed by two gorgeous, 7-foot tall Christmas trees. Now all bets were off.
Those of you from here completely understand. Snow in New Orleans is rare. This is only the 3rd time in my life I remember seeing it snow here and I've been here 33 years. Snow falling in New Orleans is an event not to be missed.
Now it was time to play (for just a little while) because we knew this might not happen again for 30 years (or it could happen again tomorrow). So play we did. Like kids. I just love how it lifted everyone's spirits.
It might just have been me, but the rest of the morning people were walking in with big grins on their faces. Of course we had to take pictures. I've only collected a few so far since I didn't have my own camera on me. I can't wait to collect them all and post them as an album. If you took pictures today please send them to me!
Now those of you who know me know I'm not a superstitious person. This is just something I kind of like to believe. It's one of my few superstitious indulgences. The first time I have a good memory of it snowing here was in December of 1989. That was the year my grandfather, William, passed away. Then, Christmas of 2004. That was the last Christmas I spent with Tata. And now this year we've lost three loved ones and it snowed for a good 3 hours. I just like to think it's their little parting Holiday gift...
Now it feels like Christmas!!!
Happy Holidays to all of you.
Billy
