Dear 1036: Big Winter Weather Wallops

Dearly Beloved 1036 Clarence,

In Chicagoland, winter often brings big snowfalls.  I recall 25 years ago, as we began 1999, a huge snowfall of 21 inches came upon Chicagoland.  The TV weather report on New Year's Even 1998 focused on the impending storm and its forecasted large amounts.

Those first couple of days in 1999 were a good time to hunker down inside the home while the snow fell in copious amounts, even being whipped up by the wind.

When it was over, there were great piles everyone, with plenty available for frolicking, including snowmen building.

There's me near the foreground as Eric and I build multiple snowmen.

Dad helps us build a snowman.

Eric and I pose by our snowmen. It's likely Mom took this photo.

5 years ago this month, I went to Panama for World Youth Day.  After spending several days in tropical warmth near 90, I returned back on January 29 late at night, just in time for the extreme cold on January 30, a day when the high temperature was -10 and the low temperature was -24.  That day, Eric departed for his residential transition to Florida.  It was a good time to stay inside and enjoy some of that fine fruit tea I bought in Panama--there it is below.

And then, 2 years ago, my friends Rogenique and Roy stayed with us on New Year's Day 2022 after we three attended Heather and Zach's wedding on New Year's Eve.  It was the first time Rogenique, a true daughter of southern California, experienced the typical facets of a Chicagoland-style winter.  That day was cold with a modest snowfall.  She enjoyed flinging it into the air and building a small snowman.

Later, gathered for dinner, we reflected on 2021 and the new year of 2022.  Rogenique expressed her deeply heartfelt desire to start a family.  With great joy, their daughter Rhema came into the world last month.

So yes, winter brings some wonderful opportunities to enjoy the snow outside, and then to head inside and enjoy the warmth of the indoors and the company of being together.

With much joy, gladness, and gratitude for these and so many other memories, I declare that you shall never fade into the background, but remain deep in my heart.

We are ever connected: All my relations.

With abiding love for you,

God's blessings,

Paul