I am trying to remember exactly what I did on snow days. I remember loving them. They were rare, and maybe that alone was enough to make them appealing: it wasn’t so much what I did but what I wasn’t doing, namely school. Not that I disliked school. Part of me thinks that anyone who grew up to become a dramaturg probably liked school to some degree. But there is a certain gleefulness in watching the news (which I never did unless something hugely important was happening in the world, like a blizzard that would delay my spelling test) and waiting for the little ticker to go through the alphabetized district names. I lived in University City’s (represent!) school district which meant I had to wait and wait and wait. Alton: closed. Clayton: closed. Ladue: closed. Parkway Central; Parkway East; Parkway North; Parkway West: closed, closed, closed, closed.

University City: Closed. HOORAY!

I remember sledding. I remember the tightness of the snowsuit my mom crammed me in and how I couldn’t put my arms completely down because of all the layers. I remember that mittens were far less ideal for packing snowballs than gloves, but gloves would not keep your fingers as warm. I remember no matter preemptive measures you took, you would always, inevitably, get snow in your boots which at first would be cold and then would be wet and would always be uncomfortable. I remember hot chocolate.

Tonight there was going to be a bit of a blizzard whiting-out Chicago, and so Greg, our kindhearted director, canceled rehearsal to ensure that cast and crew’s warmth and safety. I’m looking out my window though, and it seems fine. Maybe it’s late. Maybe Greg took our half-hearted complaints about having rehearsal during LOST’s Season Premier more seriously than we intended. Or maybe it is going to start right now. Or right now…The very fact that I am second guessing the decision is proof of something though: having a snow day from a rehearsal process you’re excited to go to because of the people you’re excited to be with and a play you’re excited to work on is not at all the same thing as having a snow day from school. Although, I guess I could still go sledding. And I am definitely going to make some hot chocolate.

(The image is I Wish I Were by Ian Leino!)