As Winter Approaches

Kids are dreaming about sledding and throwing snowballs.  Skiers anticipate the coming of the new season.  Bring out the coats, the rock salt and the snow blowers.  The most dreaded part of the snow is driving in it.

In 1967, I was 20 years old.  It was a snowy evening, a blizzard.  I had a night class at the University of Utah.  As I was getting ready to go, my mom said,  "You can't go out in that.  It's a blizzard."  Thinking that I was indestructible, I grabbed the car keys and went out.

The hill on 1st South leading to the University was steep and snowpacked.  It was a white out.  All that I could see in front of me was snowflakes flying.  I stopped at the intersection then attempted to drive forward.  My tires started to spin.  The car made a complete circle and landed on the sidewalk.
A man who had watched me spin around came over to my car and told me that I wouldn't be able to get the car off the sidewalk until morning when some of the snow melted.  He asked me if I would like to stay with his mother, an elderly lady who had an apartment nearby.

At the lady's apartment, I called my mother.  I told her that the car was on the sidewalk and that I wouldn't be able to drive it until morning.  Mom screamed, "Is the car alright?"  She was furious.  "I think the cars alright."  I answered.  "I'm alright." "Aren't you glad that I'm alright?"  "I'm concerned about the car." she replied.

I spent the night with the nice lady.  The next morning, after some of the snow had melted, I was able to drive the car off of the sidewalk.  The car and I were alright.