Mini Blizzard

It was so easy finding a dentist I almost couldn't believe it, especially after all the trouble getting a doctor. AND the clinic has evening and weekend hours so you don't have to take off work to go. Nice. I had a 6pm appointment to talk about my initial exam results. I left work a few minutes after 5, stopped home to check on Drew (and see if by some miracle he would be willing to go with me), then started towards Strong Hospital where the clinic is located.

The sky was already dark, and the wind was blowing fiercely enough to push my wonderful little Malibu around a bit. Rain was forecast, but between leaving work and leaving the house, the temperature had noticeably dropped. I pulled my wool scarf around my neck, grateful that I was driving into the city while everyone else was driving out of it.

The parking garage was not as full as usual, and I managed to find a spot on the third deck right near the dental center walkway two flights down. I edged gently between the van and the pickup, pulled my collar up around my ears, and stepped out of the car. As I pushed my keyfob to lock the doors, a sudden and unexpected blizzard came out of nowhere, fiercely devouring the scenery right before my eyes. The wind was so strong a trash can flew across the sidewalk while leaves and scraps of paper whipped about, dancing crazy like St Vitus. The ends of my scarf snapped against my cheeks and I had a hard time standing against the galeforce. Snow made the whole sky white, yellowing the street lights dim and quickly covering the green grass. Cars were skidding and sliding about, people caught in the unexpected storm scurrying to find shelter in the nearest building.

I slid into the revolving glass doors of the dental center and shook the snow from my shoulders. Good thing I was so close to the entrance! I checked in, then took a seat in the waiting area. Day shift workers were just leaving for home, and their reaction when they reached the exit amused me. First, shock, then concern, then grumbling and worry. The pattern was unending. Until a young Asian dentist arrived at the door.

Perhaps it was his youth, perhaps his unfamiliarity with snow. Whatever his reasons, he was purely delighted. "Wow! Yahoo! This is great! Come see! Did you know it was snowing? Look outside!" His comments of joy echoed through the lobby, floating to the balcony above. Other employees in the process of leaving smiled indulgently at his enthusiasm, pulled their coats about them, and braced themselves for the short walk to the parking garage.

He just stood there gawking out the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, jaw dropped, eyes lifted to the sky. For maybe ten minutes, his palpable joy drew smiles from those passing by. Then, without warning, as quickly as it had started, the squall ended and the wind died down. The young man sighed, buttoned his jacket and stepped out into the normal fall night to journey home.

How refreshing! Better than an amusement park ride.