We had our first rains of the season last night. Rain! Easy! Nothing was worst than an Illinois ice storm. The entire area came to a halt. Because ice would form on tree branches and power lines, eventually both would break due to the weight of the ice taking out the power. We would have no electricity or heat for many days.
I remember one particularly bad storm. We had been without power in the house for days and food was running low. We placed the last of it in a chest on the front porch to keep it from spoiling. We cooked hot dogs in the fireplace. We slept in layers of clothing under many blankets and comforters.
As a child, it was a big adventure. As an adult, it must have been terrifying wondering if a tree branch would come through the roof or if the water pipes would burst.
After a few days, the Witorts sent one of the kids around to the neighbors inviting everyone over. They had a generator. They had heat in one room. They had food.
I remember sitting in their front parlor, which we had never been allowed to even pause in front of on our way to the basement to play. It was warm. It was filled with kids and their parents. It was a kid’s dream. We had a blast playing together all day.
Eventually, it all ended when the power came on.
I loved my childhood but I am so happy not to have to live through another Chicago winter! Give me rain!
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