It was Wednesday, three p.m. This was the last errand I needed to run before I could head out of town. Excitement was building and a smile was plastered on my face. The family traveled every year to the cabin for Christmas. I had been working all week clearing up loose ends at work so I could enjoy five whole days of vacation. My head filled with silly anecdotes of past holidays as I drove to the grocery storm. The snow was blowing, swirling and dancing until I could barely see the road. My jeep swerved a little in the grocery store parking lot. The weatherman as usual was wrong. The storm was not due until later that night. Oh great, I have a two hour drive in this, it will be midnight before I get there.

I ran in the store and grabbed a cart and began piling everything I could think of that we might need. Several other people were bringing food as well but it never hurt to have more. My cart was running over and I thought seriously about getting another cart. Looking out the window at the wind howling and snow flying, I had a feeling that we might be snowed in for a few days. I went back and grabbed another cart and packed in more essentials. I had been so busy this year that I had not been in the loop as to how many people were actually coming. The cabin would hold twenty comfortably and thirty in a pinch. I bought food for thirty-five just to be on the safe side.

The carry out boy was shivering as he unloaded the carts. As I was brushing off the snow from the windshield, I remember matches and coal oil. Grumbling to myself, I ran back into the store stomping my feet I spied the manager smiling to see me again. I knew it was time to leave the store if I was making him happy. I grabbed several bottles of coal oil, matches, candles, and a half a dozen of fleece blankets that were on the clearance rack. The nieces were going to love those little throws. I thought to myself, What a bargain at three dollars a piece.

My jeep was so packed I could hardly move inside. I squeezed into the drivers seat and pointed the jeep north. Once I ventured out of town the jeep made slow laborious headway. The cabin was seventy-five miles northeast in the mountains of North Carolina. I knew that in the morning assuming that the snow had stopped by then the scenery would be breathtaking. The wheels hit an icy patch, the jeep swerved and spun in a doughnut veering toward the ravine on the other side of the road. My heart in my throat I fought to regain control of the jeep. The jeep came to rest gently next to a pine tree three feet from the shoulder. I got out and looked at the fender, a little scratch nothing more. I punched the jeep into four-wheel drive and eased on the accelerator and slowly inched up out of the ravine.

Back on the road I drove with slow deliberation. An hour later I made it to the cabin through the howling blizzard. I banged on the door for them to let me in. faces and voices met me with open arms. Unloading the car, a snow ball fight broke out. I left the younger crew outside to bring in the rest of the groceries. Opening the door I was met with delicious smells of cinnamon, apples, and ham. Ah, home with family.