"Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!"

Well I'm sure that the title and picture caught your attention; and I'd be willing to bet that no one else in the world (especially in late April) would agree with me -- with the possible exception of Abbot Neville! Nevertheless, snow day was my thought yesterday when I was leaving Packer headquarters at about 8 AM on Sunday. I had just finished presiding and preaching the Draft Mass when looking outdoors: it looked as though another snowstorm was brewing outside 1265 Lombardi Avenue. As I got closer to the doors of the Coaches / Players entrance, I realized that it was not snow but one of those rain-bursts that comes down in sheets as it blows sideways. I thought, "Great! Now tell me that God really wants me to go to Madison today!"

You see, I had scheduled my 4th annual talk in Sun Prairie for early February and the event was cancelled due to a major snowstorm that dumped a foot on us. It doesn't matter how old one is, it seems as though we are all looking for a snow day every now and then -- those blessed moments when your schedule opens entirely -- allowing free time to take a nap, watch a movie, write a blog entry... ... Everyone deserves one of these days every now and then.

But unlike the days when I grew up when snow days were TOTALLY FREE, today many of these snow days now need to be "made up" when the warmer weather arrives. Such was the case with the rescheduling of the event at Sacred Hearts in Sun Prairie last night. I apologized to the Confirmandi that the class was rescheduled, just a couple weeks now before they approach Bishop Morlino for Confirmation on 13 May 2009. Nevertheless, it was my hope that some of my excitement and enthusiasm for the Church and its sacramental life -- even at this late date -- would rub off on at least one of the Confirmands. Whether or not that happened, time will tell -- let's see how the Spirit blows!

The weather headed back to DePere was much better than the earlier trip headed west. No rain, sleet or snow heading east. While I was returning, I was listening to radio reports of the Swine Flu on the rise. Naturally as they listed the symptoms, I began to feel each one mysteriously enter my body. Just as I was feeling the flu blow through my car heating system, the radio announcer mentioned: 'Just think of how many hypochondriacs are feeling the symptoms even as we speak!' "Hypochondriac?" Wow, that one hurt!

In all actuality, I am not feeling the symptoms of Swine Flu, but rather the effects of my yearly allergic reaction to the budding trees, bushes and flowers outside my windows. The late trip and the difficulty swallowing resulted in my sleeping in a little longer today -- but, alas, no snow day. These days will be pretty full as we begin to wrap up our 111th year together at Saint Norbert.

But then comes May 18th on the horizon, the day after graduation; the day I'll acclaim, "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!"