Snow was all over the Sunday evening weather forecast. Predictions of 6-8 inches or even more for our area were being made on every channel. It would begin Monday afternoon beginning with rain then sleet then the fast & furious arrival of wet snow, accumuating quickly.

There was excitement in the air Monday morning. We might be in for one crazy day, as only someone working in the business of education can understand. The wind was blowing like mad all day. At one point the gigantic pole vault pillow over at the football field was lofted into the air and over the fence. It blew across the road and into the front yard of the school. The first and second grad classes watched it fly and some were frightened there was a tornado coming. But there was no tornado, no snow either. Just a bit of sleet off and on. The kids' hopes for an early out were squelched but the predictions were still coming in from all media that we were in for a horrible snow storm...the time of which kept creeping slowly later and later.

We were sure to have a snow day on Tuesday and everyone really got their hopes up. It began to rain in the evening and then more sleet. But there was no early morning call from the phone tree telling us that school was off and there was were no school district names scrawling across the bottom of the TV programs. It all went North of us..except a pitiful inch or less. How disappointed we all were children and teachers alike. We have Spring Fever one and all!

So I drug myself downstairs after a quick glance out of the window to get my cup of coffee and get my mind right for the day ahead. It all seemed like a cruel joke. They had been so sure! There had been no waffling, no maybes, no "if"s. I was pouting, I think, as I dressed and heade out the door.

Well, it was pretty, I had to admit. What a first day of Spring this was. We had such gorgeous weather last week! The crocuses were blooming and the forsythias. Daffodils were close to blooming as well. Oh, how we all needed that sick day/snow day to help with our Spring Fever.

But as I drove up our gravel road, as happens to me so often, I began to notice the beauty all around me. Yes, it was a very small and shallow snow but it sure was a beauty. And it was obviously a Spring snow. The kind that is wet and sticks to every thing it comes in contact with. Every tree branch, tall weed, and even the barb wire of the fences were highlighted with the snow. It was pure contrast with the dark wet branches and roads and the clean white snow clinging to the edges of everything.

I thanked God for reminding me that in all disappointments there is something beautiful and good if we look for it. How much more lovely and satisfying to the eye was this snow than if the first day of Spring with a miserable cold rain. It could have been that! and the snow will give the flowers a drink just as readily.