THE UNEXPECTED BLIZZARD

Two years have been since a blizzard hit New York City: the last one we remember was the one in 2016. We got used to warmer weather, not expecting the next one. Science confirms global warming with glacials melting slowly and reality is not different from facts. We had harsh past winters and freezing temperature below 1 degree." These are the frigid winters of Iceland, Greenland, and Alaska. " I kept telling myself.

We, New Yorkers, aren't used to extreme weather and when it comes, we adapt to it easily wearing warm clothing, hats, and scarves. My winter booths have lied there and are as good as brand-new and today I'm wearing them. Heavy clothing is not one of my favorites: I wear layers resembling a soldier in the army, people I meet ask me, " Aren't you cold? " I reply, " I have young blood ".

The blizzard of January was a surprise and an incovenience for those going places and the best thing that happened tt started on a weekend when most folks were off work, except for the first responders. I saw a wondering man looking for his car and he couldn't find it. The snow-plowers buried it deep into the piles of snow, he panicked and started dialing 511 thinking it had been stolen, but I told him it was buried under a foot and a half of snow. His worried face brightened up and smiled. I showed him the spot where he had parked his car the night before. He started digging it out with the vitality of a young man seeking a treasure in the most unexpected places, and considering his old age, I volunteered to help. He showed gratefulness for my act of kindness.

And while I was digging out his car, kids were having fun on slides down the plowed street with freshly fallen snowflakes and a layer of ice. No cars were coming from both directions. I yelled, " Have fun and don't bump into each other and get hurt! " They responded naughty giving me the finger. I just laughed to avoid getting angry. Had I said that I would have been embarrassed, but kids are spontaneous even when they don't mean it!

Unfortunately, this winters' wonderland came a bit too late for Christmas. White Christmases are a rarity in some states, and New York is one of them; and when this happens: it's a thrill, that accordant jubilation of voices of children staying off school and going sliding in Cental park all day. Yes, my wish was to be one of them and have fun in creative ways.

Saturday's blizzard scattered snow everywhere, and as winds increased visibility was low; staying off the road was smart avoiding useless accidents. I saw a few cars riding by, and a Stop & Shop truck delivering food to elderly people living down the snow-swept block. The governor of New York State, Kathy Hochul came on the Fox News that Friday before the blizzard; she warned all residents to stay home and have a six pack or a bottle of wine made in NY and spend the night in a warm, safe place. She didn't mean to get everybody drunk actually, it meant to stay off the roads and highways and avoid possible collisions, or even injuries. Most people heeded her warning. I found it very humorous and cuddled up in my heavy blanket sipping my Caffe Macchiato and enjoying the rest of the evening.

When I woke up on Sunday morning, I looked outside and saw people shoveling snow, brushing it off their cars, some seemed calm, others cursed the blizzard and Mather Nature for sending it down their way, I thought their behavior was cruel, only kids rejoiced and hurled snowballs at anyone, and stepping out of the door, I got hit once in the chest, I never showed the anger of any kind, chase them and call them names.

All roads were plowed finally. one had the impression of being in trances surrounded by those high piles of snow; I could imagine the sorrow of soldiers away from home unable to help someone in dire need, only listening to the weather news of their state plundered by the blizzard.

My reflection on things that others don't envision is very evocative of events that occurred in my youth, or elsewhere during my travels. I pause and stare at things from a real perspective of mind, they may be minor reflections, but worthy of being pondered with the eyes and soul of a writer. This blizzard will remain intact in my memory and be reminded later for the effects on the environment and people who would rather live elsewhere, and avoid temperatures similar to that of the North Pole .

A winter that brings in a blizzard for some can be an adventurous occasion, or for others: inconvenience and frustration going from point A to point B; there's no joy more exciting than a kid on sleight sliding down a deserted street with only parked cars. It's a delightful time for the little ones, and deep reflection for the adults that Mother Nature can often be kind, but most times wrathful and deadly. We are lucky and grateful that this blizzard caused minimal deaths in most Eastern-Northern states as other previous ones did. We outlived in this blizzard and hopefully will survive in many others. It's time for hot coffee and cheesecake to celebrate life!

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