Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

Lifestyles

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February 5, 2010

Winter fun: A steep driveway

Jamie Parsell

As I carried five grocery bags, a purse and a lunchbox, I remembered thinking about how much I appreciated the flat driveway and sidewalk leading up to my front door. Growing up, my family and I lived on top of a hill, with a long steep driveway. In the summertime, it was a good place to race bikes. But in the wintertime, the driveway turned into an icy ski slope. No one dared — even in a four-wheel-drive vehicle — to drive up the incline after a winter storm. Cars had to be parked at the bottom, where we would walk up carrying bookbags, groceries and more. And, of course, there were no handrails, just hedges that lined the drive. If snow covered the ground, I knew the climb would be easy. Balance was key. But if the driveway glimmered with an icy sheen, slips and falls would ensue with disastrous results.

Now I have a flat driveway. So do the parents. The driveway of my childhood belongs to another poor soul. I pass by my childhood home quite regularly, as it is on the way to a friend’s house, who lives in the same neighborhood. I am fascinated with the changes in its appearance. However, one thing never changes: The driveway. As I drive by, I can almost see winter’s havoc on the smooth black pavement. How can a driveway produce so many memories? I remember watching my dad drive his truck down the snow covered driveway. I always held my breath as I watched from the large picture window. If he knew a storm was coming, he would often park the truck at night and then walk down the following morning. When I would look out, I would see his footsteps in a single line marching to the bottom of the drive. Of course, once he slid down, after falling on an icy patch. My mom tells a great story of the now famous wipe out. One time, I had the misfortune of wearing high heels to church. A surprise snowstorm and high heels made for an interesting walk up the drive. Holding on to my dad’s arm, he dragged me the top. Other adventures — the time we carried Christmas presents or chased bottles of pop down the driveway — made the driveway a nightmare, covered in an innocent blanket of white.

We had a winter routine. Cars at the bottom, footsteps creating a path up and down the driveway. It looked like a crazy game of follow the leader. Of course, we could have shoveled the driveway. But the length and size deterred even the strongest and determined of the family. Every once in awhile, someone would grab the shovel and make one clear path from top to bottom. When cars didn’t line up at the bottom, my brother and I would take advantage of the downhill force with our sleds. Forget grassy hills. The decline on the driveway provided more thrills than the local ski resort. It was perfect — no trees or buildings to block the path. It was another one of those love/hate relationships with winter. I miss the driveway. It seems silly to miss slips, falls and winter disasters. Yet, perhaps I miss more than just pavement and snow. It took all of us — parents, brother and I — to climb up the driveway. It took four of us to carry groceries, bookbags and presents to the top of the hill. We held hands, grabbed arms and helped each other — it was the only way to get to the top. We learned to use teamwork to our advantage, defying the ice and snow. Thankfully, beyond a few bumps and bruises, no one ever suffered a major slip on the ice. Usually, laugher accompanied the treks up and down the driveway. My brother and I found certain situations amusing — even if the parents didn’t think winter weather was hilariously funny.

As I sit at my desk at work, thinking about snow covered driveways, the weather forecast is full of another batch of snow and ice. The winter of 2010 is determined to make Four Season residents grateful for spring’s welcoming thaw. Even winter lovers and positive thinkers are beginning to ache and complain about the endless amount of snow. Once again, it is the love/hate combination. Our heart warms, somewhat reluctantly, at the sight of snowmen, family traditions like hot chocolate after sledding and unexpected snow days from work or school. During my childhood, I often hated walking up the driveway, the snow filling my shoes with cold. But now, the driveway is a wintertime story. One that I can tell my future children and it goes like this : When I was a young child, I had to walk all the way up a steep driveway in the middle of winter ...”

Jamie Parsell is the lifestyle editor at the Daily Telegraph. Contact her at jparsell@bdtonline.com.

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