Say Yes Even In A Blizzard

Saying yes isn’t always easy. But I think it is worth it.

We had much needed snow storm on Monday, bringing about two feet of snow to northern Utah. In years past we would have had feet of snow by this time of year, but the last few weeks have been in the 60s, not a drop of snow anywhere except the top of the mountains. So when a giant storm hit on Monday the whole city stopped, trying to adjust to a condition that we used to be conditioned to.

I’m lucky in that I can work from home on snow days, and had the time to help dig my housemate’s car out of the driveway. All day I watched from my window as the tow truck pulled out my neighbor’s car and others slipped and skidded down my road. It was nice to have a day snowed in; I got tons of work done for my job and around the house, all while taking frequent breaks for tea and snacks. It was a perfect low key, quiet day and at 7pm when I was scrolling through Facebook I was in a sleepy, happy mood.

I saw that my cousin had just checked in to the nearby airport, so I commented that he should stay a while next time. Within seconds he’d personal messaged me to talk, explaining he was on his way home for the holiday and his transfer flight had gotten delayed. We talked for a bit, catching up and making jokes since I haven’t seen him in a few years. I was still halfway working at the time, so I wasn’t too focused when I realized that I had suggested he ask the front desk if he could catch a flight the next day for free. He replied immediately saying he’d ask, and as I sat there waiting it hit me that I’d actually just offered to get in my car during a blizzard, pick him up from the airport and let him stay on my couch.

Now my first reaction was to bail. I was so comfortable! I was planning on falling asleep in an hour! I could get stuck! I’d have to do something fun to make it worth his time! All these excuses swirled through my mind as I tried to settle on one that was valid, but I knew none of them were. The right thing, the best thing, was to just suck it up, put on a coat and have fun. So I did.

A half hour later I picked him up from the airport and took him to dinner at a place I’d been meaning to try. We talked for two hours over a giant meal and beers, gossiping about family and figuring out how we’ve changed over the last few years. He’s in the military and I hadn’t even realized he’d been in Afghanistan and Quatar for the last 6 months. He didn’t know anything about the job that’s been my life for the last year. We talked about futures and pasts and wandered through a big box store to find fun pajamas for him. Nothing crazy, or wild happened, but just spending time with him was worth it.

I made it through the storm in my stick shift and he feel asleep on my couch at 11pm. At 7am the next day we got back in the car and I took him back to the airport, both glad that we’d said yes. It’s not always easy to leave the house, and participate in the world. But I’m always glad when I do.