Mike Dougherty's Blog

Snow, Cupid, late family celebrations

Weather often changes plans, regardless of the page on the calendar. In the spring, a picnic might be ruined by a sudden shower. Unbearable heat can force cancellation of outdoor plans in the summer.

This month, with Valentine’s Day falling on a Sunday, plans to send flowers to loved ones were affected by recent snowstorms and accompanying icy roads. Earlier that week, some businesses were closed and some florists likely were forced to call off deliveries. In my case, a delivery to my bride at the doctors’ office where she works scheduled for Friday, Feb. 12, had to have a backup plan for a home delivery either that day or Saturday, Feb. 13, because the forecast for more snow made the possibility real that the office would be closed. We don’t think much about the weather until it affects us personally.

Meanwhile, my family celebrates our second annual February Festival, with a gathering of our son, two daughters, one girlfriend, at least one boyfriend and possibly the other at my son’s house in Fort Worth. It also serves as a celebration of my birthday later this week and daughter Molly’s birthday in mid-March. We also throw in Valentine’s Day and a supper with two friends who also are former copy editors at the Star-Telegram in Fort Worth.

Our little festival was born in 2009 when we had to postpone a Christmas trip to Texas because of illness. What we discovered when we moved our Christmas celebration to February last year was the actual date of our family get-together didn’t matter. Yes, we exchange gifts, but the fact that we still were able to gather and enjoy each other was what seemed to matter the most.

So remember, our time with loved ones is fleeting. And have a very Frosty February Festival!