weather grieving

Richmond was recently dubbed the happiest city in the country, claiming its people are some of the most contented. Generally, I agree that this city is a great place to live; however, I have one major issue that I've come to realize not one other person shares with me. Except maybe my husband, but verdict's still out on whether he truly shares similar viewpoints or if his life is just easier if he appeases me. Either way.

My issue is the weather. It's atrocious. I mean, it's awful. Or maybe it's not the weather itself, but the weather forecasters. Take for example this weekend. All week the local forecasters were calling for gloomy skies with highs only near 80 and a potential wash-out of a weekend. While everyone else in central Virginia is dreading the weekend outlook, I'm on the edge of my seating waiting for it. You guys, I love a rainy day. In fact, I love a few rainy days. I love cold weather. And snow. I hate being hot and sticky and sweating in a regular bra. The worst. So yes, this northerner - especially with a post-pregnancy body and a nursing baby - was truly looking forward to the change in pace of weather. Saturday morning I excitedly turned on the news to see when the drops would start falling and figure out the prime time to flip on a movie for Surrey. When what to my wondering eyes would appear but a sunny, rainless weekend forecast scrolling across my TV. Surprise surprise, the storm changed its course and now we probably won't get a drop. I've heard this familiar script before. Every other day in the winter it's the same story with snow. I sit with a heavy heart, my eyes darting between the big yellow sun graphic on the screen and my wide-awake daughter already begging me to play animals with her. It's only 6:30am. The agony.

I don't mean to be so dramatic, but it's had to come to this. Several times a year I seriously consider moving back to Pennsylvania. Sure, because my family is there, but a large part of it is the weather. My internal morale would be far higher if I could get a little relief around here. Or maybe just some validation. Hey 8News, 96 and sunny is not a nice day for "lunch outside." Please stop imposing your weather views on me and start reporting the weather objectively. Let's leave it up to the individual to decide if they think a high of 88 in October is a beautiful day or not. Because, in my opinion, it's not. Fall should not be merely a period of days where we can finally wear jeans and not sweat. We should actually feel a bit chilly. Also, why the groans and forlorn looks whenever snow is on the radar? Most Richmonders are so hateful towards snow that forecasters refer to it as the "s word." I'm offended. Stop shaming those of us who enjoy seasonable precipitation.

You guys, I like the sun. I enjoy being outside. What I don't like is unseasonably warm temperatures and the animosity towards weather other than hot and sunny. Like I said, I'm sorry it's come to this. I know intellectually I need to loosen up a bit - let it go or ship out because it is what it is - but head and heart just don't align right now.

This is hysterical. A girl in the small group I lead asked me more about my weather issues a couple months ago. She asked, do you just not like the feel of the sun touching your skin? She was dead serious. This is the impression I'm giving people. It was one of the funniest moments of my life. Even better, that night I was wearing a hat and long sleeves (even though it was hot, because a girl can dream right?) - it truly was like I was shielding myself from the sun. Hilarious. I'm apparently very overdramatic about this. But desperate times call for desperate measures and I feel like it's my duty to make a stand against this strong southern weather favoritism.