The entire Chicagoland area has been buried in a snowstorm of epic proportions, a storm that has the old-timers duly comparing this to the dread Winter of 1981 and talking about their early predictions based on the rings on caterpillars and the direction of flying geese. In fact, Little One had a day and a half off due to snow days, an event that happens so rarely that First Born called up to complain about how spoiled her sister is, since FB never had a single snow day in twelve years of primary education.

However, last night’s High School Open House was not cancelled. The roads were awful, but I was semi-willing to go anyway. When I got to the parking lot, I saw there were only a few rows of cars and rejoiced because even though I was as late as I always am, I could find a spot near the door!

I started to feel sorry for all the teachers in there just waiting for Moms and Dads to come talk to them about their teens. Clearly most of these parents were either afraid to drive in the storm or preferred to stay home in the warmth rather than brave the semi-blizzard to discuss their teenager’s education. Not me. I didn’t want to be out in the cold, but I placed a higher value on Little One’s education. Connecting with her teachers was obviously a higher priority for me than most parents.

Then I got to the door and read the sign that said the Open House was at the other campus. On the other side of the city. Just as it had said in the flyer we received last month.