Catholic Family Vignettes

I love the Columbus Zoo.

Last Christmas, my dear Grandmother gave the family an annual membership. A very practical gift, since a day's admission for a family this size costs more than a yearly membership.

Last year, we were delighted to discover that the zoo is open after hours throughout the holiday season. Wild Lights at the Columbus Zoo offers visitors the opportunity to stroll through the park (which is beautifully lit by more than three million lights) and observe the nocturnal activities of the many animals. Vendors selling Bavarian roasted pecans and almonds, hot wassail and cocoa, ice skating and a visit with St. Nick enhance the festive spirit. We attended Wild Lights last year, and the children have been clamoring to go ever since.

So we took them on Saturday night. We invited our dear friend, Tom, to join us. True, the sky was a bit misty and it was very dark and very cold, but hey--that's part of the fun!

As we approached the park, the traffic was insane! Apparently, our good idea appealed to most of Columbus as well. Parking the car, it was apparent that it was no longer just cold, it was freezing. And it was not just a bit misty, it was raining.

We stood in line. For a very long time. Getting wetter and wetter.

Mr. Tom, with his wry sense of humor says "Oh...I see. This is how you punish the children when they misbehave. You take them to the zoo in the dark and get them very wet and very cold."

Ha ha.

Once inside the park, things improved. The children were enchanted by the lights, though the crowds were significantly larger than last year.

The good: the beautiful lights, the petting barn, the model trains.

The bad: too much traffic, a large group of obnoxious teenagers, and four little boys who simply couldn't stop making snowballs and pelting each other.

Oh yeah...we lost Maximilian. My sweet boy is a non-stop "lagger". He simply will not stay with the group. This is not the first time Max has been "left behind." He was quickly found by his dad (at the model train station), but not before his panicky mom had alerted park security.

It is a testimony to the hardiness of the children that they do, indeed, call this fun!

Read more!

Four consecutive days of triple digit heat. Six children occupying one very small, air conditioned room. Two grumpy parents.

For the past four days the children have been trapped inside the house, held hostage by dangerously high temperatures. Our home is a very old, traditional farm house. In other words - no central air! It has been a challenge to keep the children entertained, but for the most part, the "meltdowns" were minimal...until yesterday. As the temperatures climbed once again, the children began to fall apart, one by one. The little window unit in the living room, quite simply, could not keep up against the heat.

A dear friend dropped in (God bless her, she is brave!) and sat (within range of the oscillating fan), with great patience, amidst the noise, confusion and heat.

As we lamented the weather, we talked about our dear husbands who work outside in this oppressive weather, and all the people who had no respite whatsoever...people who were literally dying from this heat. And then...a miracle!

We had noticed the increasing cloud cover, most of the afternoon. Unfortunately, it only seemed to provide a blanket-like "ceiling" which further locked in the heat and humidity. My husband managed to pull open the front door (it had swelled shut due to the humidity), and a tremendous, icy-cold, breeze filled the room.

If a spaceship had landed in the front yard, it would not have received the same incredulous reaction, as ten hot, sweaty people tumbled out of the house to see, if indeed, it had really cooled off.

Withing a twenty minute period, the temperature dropped twenty degrees. Windows were quickly opened, the window unit was turned off and everyone stood outside in the rain and wind praising God for this great gift.

Last night, the children slept in their beds. Cool and comfortable. This morning, I have been greeted by the happy faces of my well rested children. Me? I feel wonderful! Thank you, my God, for this short period of suffering. It has been awhile since I've appreciated something as simple as a summer storm and sleep under the cool evening breeze. Read more!