It’s winter in northeastern Ohio. The days are gray and the nights are cold. Growing up, this frosty weather didn’t phase me. It was a time to spend outside in the snow hanging out with my sister and our best friends who lived next door.
We were silly, had no cares in the world, and played outside as kids should. We bundled up in long underwear, heavy socks, boots, non-matching hats, gloves, and coats. It was a production to get ready and mom was always there making sure we were properly dressed for the frigid temperature.
We had a traditional wooden sled with metal runners, as well as, a thin, blue plastic one. It had a cut-out handle you could barely hold on to and it constantly rolled up. The only way to hold it down was to spread it out and sit on it which took a certain amount of precision and skill on a hill full of snow. I obviously still remember the stress that sled gave us.
The hill we sledded down was more of an incline. However, to us, it was an exhilarating and thrilling 5 seconds of fun. Up the hill, down the hill, repeat. Wonder how many times during the winter we trudged up and slid down?
My sister Michelle, Gail, Jan, and I also loved to romp around our front yards making snow angels and snowballs. The pretty, fresh snow ended up looking like cars drove all over our lawns due to all our tracks. Our two yards were the only ones that looked messy.
We were brats and often secretly stumbled and collapsed in the family’s yard across the street to make theirs look sloppy too. The neighbor who lived there was a boy, who was not our friend, and his family. It was our way of signaling to him that we were his enemy. I suppose this is how we innocently handled opposition before the invention of cell phones and social media. It was mischievous yet innocent playfulness.
When we got cold, tired, and wet we parted ways to our separate houses. Most likely mom had hot chocolate made from powdered Nestle Quick waiting for us. As I struggle with these cloudy and frigid days, I remind myself that winter holds many glorious memories. When I think about them, I actually feel sunshine..in my heart.
That’s me in the picture. I’m all bundled up against the beautiful snowy backdrop on Dartmouth Ave holding that blue sled!
Melanie R
Ah, the good ol’ days! I played outside for hours in the snow with my sister and friends, too. We’d be wet and cold, but didn’t care. We were having too much fun making snow forts and snowmen and having snowball fights, etc. I love your memory about the yard and boy across the street, lol.