January 31, 2019. I’d planned to drive to Vicki’s this week and celebrate her birthday, a little belatedly. As she wrote in a post earlier this month, Vicki has reached her 70s. Happy Birthday, my dear Friend!
But my plans, and the plans of several million other people, changed when a Polar Vortex brought extreme cold and wind and snow to the Midwest and Eastern regions of the United States. Michigan was one of the states really slammed this week. We’ve postponed my trip to celebrate Vicki’s birthday.
But the funny thing is, like so much in life, this extreme storm has also brought beauty. This is what Vicki saw this morning after sunrise:
Fresh snow at Villa Maria, January 31, 2019
Here in Steubenville, Ohio where I live, our experience of the Polar Vortex wasn’t as extreme as Vicki’s area, but it was still intense. Before and during the storm I witnessed so many people helping others in the harsh conditions. Beauty in the heart of the storm. And I’m sure Vicki will have similar stories to share when I visit.
I’ll get there pretty soon, Vicki. But, alas, not today.
And here’s a reminder that this year has much ahead for us:
Villa Maria in the Summer
Jim Coyle
3 comments
Happy Birthday Vickie from your old PDS (now retired) mentee, Bruce Smith! I thank you for your loving, sharing, caring, kindness and I’ll never forget what you did for me when I started with PDS back in 1995. God bless you and your family!
Bruce! What a wonderful surprise!!
How can you retire, when in my mind’s eye, you are still 30??!! Thank you for all you shared with me during our time together, your example, patience and kindness. And always our prayers… which still continue but from a distance. Love & blessings to you and your family ❤️🙏🏻 Ms Vicki
Nice!!! Thank you ~ V