Winter has set in not so peacefully. Some areas in our region have been abused by Mother Nature’s fury. Snow in mega amounts has halted regular daily activity for countless numbers of people. Our predictably unpredictable winters can place undue burden on travel. The weather reporter becomes one of the most viewed people on television. Watch the weather report enough and we become near experts ourselves on planning for inclement days. All interested parties might convince a school of higher education to give us credits for our exhaustive study during the winter months. Read the newspaper and the weather page is frequently read first. Anxiety levels rise for those who drive to work or school. Sometimes schools close leaving parents to decide upon  the fate of  their children’s day. Do I get child care? Do I stay home? Will the kids be OK alone? Some folks have jobs that allow for paid time off, others are less fortunate and don’t get pay for the time away from work to oversee their youngsters at home. It is understandable from a business perspective, yet a sad and real commentary on the pressures on our work force, particularly, workers with school-age children.

Even in a good situation, what do the children do? Play all day? Nap? Eat junk food? Utilize their technology devices to communicate with the outside world? Now, you might think that some expert advice is forthcoming, however, that’s not the case. I trust that parents know (with some exception) what’s in their children’s best interest. Some radical views I’ve heard suggest children need to spend their snow day involved with schoolwork. No entertainment devices, no friends to the home unless studying for a test. Conversely, opposing views suggest children have fun and, of course, safely. “I’m bored” is a much-heard refrain stated by homebound children on snow days.

I recall, as a youth, that being home on snow days required me (when of age) to shovel our driveway and walkway. No mail was delivered if the mailman had to trudge through deep snow. The one redeeming experience was earning money when neighbors needed snow removal. We had a lot of books to read. Daytime television was  not interesting. And yes, we really did make snowmen with a carrot nose. Do children and adults make snowmen anymore? Of course, snowball fights (no one got hurt!) brought collective laughter and enjoyment to our outdoor day. Mothers often met their red-faced children at the door following all the aforementioned activity with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and cookies. Do moms/dads make hot chocolate anymore on snowy days?

As a sidebar to my rants, a predictable seasonal conversation with older adults surfaces. “I’m not sure I can do this anymore.” “So and so spends winters in Florida.” “I can’t stand the cold and snow.” A decision upon one’s future in this climate begs discussion, planning and consideration for easing one’s anxieties. While some plan for that retreat to warmer climates, others try to maintain sanity knowing that “we’re stuck here.” And yet, let’s remember that countless numbers of people love winter for outdoor activity and indoor reflection, respite and a slower pace. Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.

Marshall Greenstein holds a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling and is a licensed marriage and family counselor and a licensed mental health counselor in New York state. He has regular office hours at Hutton and Greenstein Counseling Services, 501 E. Third St., Suite 2B, Jamestown, 484-7756. For more information or to suggest topics, email editorial@post-journal.com.