Joyful Noise

I have been teaching 10 years. I have had lots of snow days in those years. Sometimes I thought I was going to have a snow day and didn't. Other times a snow day came without a flake on the ground. I have always enjoyed snow days. I know we have to make them up, it's just nice to lounge around on a cold winter day. Not to mention, I hate driving on snow and ice. But a few years back, snow days were unbearably quiet for me. I had a lot of time to reflect on the fact that I wanted to be a mother, and snow days gave me even more time, which I probably did not need. I remember one day in particular, I called my friend Brooke. Her house was chaotic. She had a toddler and a dog, and it was so loud I could barely hear her. We laughed about that on the phone, but when I hung up I wasn't laughing. I was brought to tears. My house was so quiet. The TV was on, but there was joyful noise missing. That noise, that many parents don't hear as joyfully as I did in that moment. I know Brooke hears it that way, but many don't. Today, Laney threw several fits. It was loud in my house this snow day. An easy day to get frustrated as a parent being cooped up. But, instead, I thanked God for that joyful noise. Because, someone out there would love to hear it. Someone wishes that she can comfort her crabby toddler. So, I will take this snow day. I will hold the memory of a crabby Laney near to my heart. I will thank God tonight for the gift. For the joyful noise I heard on this snow day!