There are a few things that we, as Yoopers, consider a birthright, things that are bestowed upon us just for living in the UP.
Things like the Great Lakes. Pasties. Putting an “R” where none exists in the word “Ishpeming.”
But there’s also something else that could be considered a Yooper birthright, and that’s a snow day.
There are very few joys that are as uniquely UP as a snow day. When you’re a kid, it means no school. When you’re an adult, it means, “What am I gonna do with the kid who’s home from school?” But I think that even parents appreciate the magic of a snow day.
When I was a kid–way back in the 20th century–you’d wake up early, turn on the radio, and hope against all hope that your school was on the list. Nowadays, you wake up early, check your text messages, and hope against all hope that your school sent you one. But the end result is the same–
On a snow day you’re free. You now have a day you didn’t know you’d have, and the possibilities laid out before you on that day can be endless.
So when you’re living through a year with few snow days, it’s a bummer. It’s like having clouds on the day of a solar eclipse.
Thankfully, THAT didn’t happen. But that may explain why last week’s two snow days were welcomed.
I’m mean, sure, there was the snow you had to deal with–except for those of us who live in Marquette, because we saw NOTHING on those two snow days.
But most places in the UP haven’t had many snow days this year, and to be given the magic of having two of them two days in a row, even in April, was appreciated.
Especially because unlike in January or February the snow melts quickly, and leaves us with a few little hints of things to come.
So even if you had just those two snow days this year, I hope you made the most of them. We probably won’t see any more until next winter. Although I hope I’m not jinxing us by saying that because, as we all know, a snow day in May could also be considered yet another UP birthright, just like pasties, or the “R” in Ishpeming.
I’m Jim Koski, and that’s another slice of “Life in the 906.”
