Children & Chocolate and Other Paths to God

I've said in the past how much I love winter. I've since changed my tune.

I sent an email out yesterday to my local mommy posse taking it all back. The 3-year-old has had a cough for a week, and now the baby is starting with it. (no surprise given the way the older one coughs in her face) I was supposed to pick up a new car in the afternoon, but couldn't because of the freezing rain. Even if I got it home in one piece, there's the trick of getting it up my rather steep driveway.

There was an half an inch of ice building on my back deck. Even Fred refused to go outside to pee. He looked at me like I was nuts for even suggesting it. "No thanks, I'll hold it."

So, like everyone else, we hunkered down. The TV has been on a LOT more than usual, but I'm desperate. I made brownies. I made soup. I made sloppy joes. (I really wanted chili, but didn't have all the ingredients.)

I fell asleep last night to the sound of sleet hitting my bedroom windows and Fred snoring. The baby rattled around once, setting off one of the toys that hangs on the side of the crib. The 3-year-old coughed a few times.

At some point I woke up and marvelled at how quiet it was at the moment. Too quiet. And a little chilly.

Then it hits me.

I rolled over to look at the clock and saw that the power was out. Ugh. I stretched to see out my bedroom windows and realized the people across the street had lights on outside. Yep, no matter where I live, I'm always on the side of the street that loses power.

I lay in bed, worried about whether the kids were cold, but I got up to go to the bathroom and decided it wasn't really that bad yet. (Though we may have to pack it up and head to my mom's later on, I thought.) I headed back to bed and tucked under the covers.

Then I heard a sound I haven't heard in a long time. A most unusual, glorious sound.

The chirping of a bird.

While the reality is that the bird was probably freaking out because he was frozen to his nest, I like to think it was a sign. A simple gift from God.

"Happy Valentine's Day. Spring is coming. Hang in there!  Love, God"

My heart soared at the sound. And if the power had been on I wouldn't have heard it over the hum of heat and household appliances. And I probably would've been asleep.

This was God's answer to my mild mommy misery last night. I always believe that all prayers get answered, but sometimes in more unusual ways than we expect. Sometimes God has to literally wake you up to give you a message.

So, I'd like to share my gift. Rejoice everyone! Spring will be here before you know it!