Christmas in Albion

It’s Christmastime, and a visit to Albion was a priority.  The weather app on my phone listed a winter advisory – lake effect snow, cold temps, bad roads.  But Kath and I packed up the Mazda, said a prayer, and headed up I-79.  Everything went fairly well until we crossed under I-80, which of course was after dark had settled, and suddenly there were blizzard-like squalls beating at the car, almost no light, and a world of white everywhere you looked: including the road.  It was hard to tell where the road was.  I gripped the steering wheel, thinking that an hour of driving like this would do me in.  But we stepped up our prayer and pleading, and after about 10 minutes it settled down a bit.  Driving was still a little tense, but much better than it had been.  We swung off I-79 at the Edinboro/Albion exit and popped into Walmart for groceries and goodies for Saturday’s meal; then headed out 6N and Route 18.  Crouch Road was almost untouched, and the snow was swirling around us like a snow globe.  We pulled into the drive gratefully thankful to have arrived safe – and were greeted by warm hugs and smiles.  Once we got unpacked, we had Christmas!  Mom loved her little black kitty that doubled as a neck massager, and John liked his adjustable flashlight.  We had carrot cake and ice cream and settled in for a long winter’s night. 

The next morning – as is our custom – Kath and I took our 2 mile walk out to the highway and back.  We made friends with the snow plow driver and totally enjoyed the winter wonderland virtually untouched around us.  After a quick breakfast we bundled up and shoveled out the driveway and a path to the mailbox.  It looked like about 12 inches on the picnic table. 

Mom hadn’t brought any decorations from the attic, so Kath and I went up with her and lugged 3 boxes down and had a great time pulling out treasures and making the house festive.  John was a little hesitant, but before long he was helping, too, and we had the manger set displayed, the lighted poinsettia by the TV, and the tea towels hung in the kitchen.

It was fun to see mom so animated and enjoying all her memories.  After a lunch of pizza, salad, and more carrot cake (tradition!), we loaded up and headed back down toward home.  It had not stopped snowing since we had arrived, and we wanted to get home in the daylight. 

It was a shorter visit than we liked, but it paid off with clear roads and no dangers.  We’ll go up in January when we are sure there is a safe weekend to travel.  Celebrating Christmas with our family, and seeing their joy in our gifts and even just our visit, make it one of the best memories we could have.  God bless us, everyone!