Late for Practice

I will not be able to spend much time with Mark and Faith and Shiloh today. I need to get back to Rochester in time for a PrayerSong rehearsal. The forecast is for light snow and windy. I am worried that we might be slowed down a bit so I decide to leave early. We make a flying trip to Mark's for a last hugging and making sure they have all they need.

The roads are clear enough through Amsterdam, but shortly after we get on the Thruway, traffic slows. The wind whips the snow about, causing white out conditions. We drive through one belt of white after another. Suddenly, we encounter 2 snowplows driving side by side slowly. They do not let traffic past them. When they reach the next turn around, they do just that, heading back. They are working in pairs at each stretch of road, intentionally slowing down the traffic to help prevent accidents. The white outs are severe.

We turn on the radio to the emergency station and call the advisory phone number. They have closed sections of the Thruway because of the conditions and have ordered all tractor trailer trucks to exit even the portions that are open. Traffic backs up at every off ramp as the trucks comply, slowing our progress even more. It is clear that if this doesn't let up soon, I will miss my rehearsal.

We debate whether to press on or turn back. I urge pressing on. Surely we will drive out of this mess soon. Mile after mile of driving at 35 or 40. I am convinced that if we can just get past Syracuse we will be in the clear, but it does not happen. The lanes of the Thruway heading east are completely empty because they have been closed. Like some unending nightmare we are forced by traffic and weather to creep along though the roads themselves are bare. This is crazy.

At a few minutes before the rehearsal is to start, I begin calling as many as I can to tell them that I will be there in 20 minutes. I have reached Rochester, but am on the east side. I can't get anyone to answer their phones. Finally I reach one of the singers and she says she can see Lourdes' car and others just pulling in. She will run interference until I get there.

Ah, me. Shiloh was worth it. But I need to make progress toward my recital, which is quickly approaching. I tumble from the car before Kiel even stops, hurriedly telling him to come back in 2 hours, and run into the sanctuary. They have just finished warming up and are ready to go. Phew! Grace of God. It's just not good form to be late for your own rehearsal.