In our childhood we looked at snow as a day with no school, hot chocolate and bags inside our snow boots to keep our socks dry.

Logging in more hours outside than the best day of summer, we looked at our snow-globe world with amazement. As we got older we were allowed to explore the neighborhood to build forts, have snowball fights, and go ice skating. We hoped that school would be canceled again to continue our play.

Now we have aged and look at snow as a nuisance. The roads become impassable, and our busy schedules are interrupted. If we can get out of our driveways we need to find a sitter for the young ones. Our days of remembering our childhood delights are far outweighed by the realities of everyday life.

In our current society, when that blustery storm does come, the kids don't go out. They don't even know what snowboots are or if they do, they have never worn a pair. You see, the kids today only need to have a computer or iPhone or tablet and they will never make a peep. Winter weather does not affect the internet. But if it does, and the web goes down, they may just have to learn the double-glove trick.

K. Patrick Passero

East Lyme