Montross Chaos: What a day!

We finally got snow, about 6" inches or more...that is a LOT for our area. And surprisingly enough they didn't cancel school. Knowing how the roads would be, we opted to walk, this would give the boys a chance to play in it before the rain came and dissolved it all. To get to school we have to cross a main road with a crossing light and crossing guard, it is on a slight hill and on this snowy wintry morning it was causing a lot of problems. Once the cars were stopped on the hill they had a hard time going again. Spinning out, sliding off the road, almost crashing into each other. The road was getting slick and the traffic was backed up for a good mile or so and literally not going any where. It was still that way when I returned from dropping Spencer and his friends off at school. I felt like I should help somehow, but didn't quite know what to do, so I just stood and watched for a minute. The I saw an incredible woman from my church drive up to the side of the road and jump out with a bucket of kitty-liter. She went over to the vehicles and start helping. She put traction under tires, got out her tow rope, she even hoped in the driver seat of one vehicle and helped move it off the road. She never ceases to amaze me. So finally, instead of watching, I decided to help. Preston was good enough to stay off to the side, and I help as much as I could; directing traffic and pushing cars up the hill (not that I'm that strong: ) It felt good to be useful instead of watchful, but to be honest, I don't think I would have done anything if it weren't for my friends example. She really is amazing!

My day doesn't end here though... Michael and I shoveled our driveway in the morning so that it wouldn't be as bad to do once it stopped snowing. When the boys and I got home from school in the afternoon, I decided to finish up our driveway and Spencer grabbed a shovel and headed to the neighbors (the husband just had back surgery and the wife works all day). We had barely started when a teenage boy named Jared came by and asked if he could help me. I told him I was fine, but that it would be great if he would shovel the neighbors driveway. He went next door and knocked and when no one answered, he went to work. When I finished my drive I went and helped him and Spencer finish up. I remember meeting Jared once before on a church visit. I went with another lady to visit his mom who is a member of our church, but not active. I remember being impressed by him at that time. He is about the same age as Michael but the two kids couldn't be different. Jared had mowed the lawn, was helping his mom in the house, and then sat down and chatted with us for a minute. I have heard about kids like Jared; responsible, helpful, thoughtful, but never actually known any. This is how I want my boys to be. I hope that by starting them young they have a good start, so that when they are older, they'll be more than willing to help others and do it cheerfully without expecting anything in return.
My day was so inspiring, and filled with wonderful examples of charity and kindness. I hope I can be better at taking action and not just watching from the sidelines.

Now, on a different note, here's some pictures from our day...

Spencer making a 'snowy' treat with a recipe from his teacher!