The Prelude of the Terrible Winter -Journal entry #2-

The snow gently crested the top of houses and fell elegantly upon the ground. The air chilled my nose as I peered with astonishment at this rarity; finally, snow has fallen in Miami weather! A few flecks of snow landed on my nose, and I stuck out my tongue to taste the falling chill. The trees, the grass, and the houses were now painted with fresh, clean snow. It seemed as if a million white paratroopers were descending upon the ground, invading and filing into every corner of this grassy plain. Suddenly, among the gentle awe of the harmless trickle, a majestic wind slashed through the air. I could see it coming since the falling snow was thick enough to form an amorphous shape of the wind's sweeping path, so I braced myself. It slammed into me like a tsunami and sent me falling backwards a few feet despite my readied position. The otherwise harmless fleets of snow now turned into swirling vortex's of frigid shrapnel, and to make the situation as dire, frozen shards the size of baseballs started to plummet from the sky! My feet and arms were instantly senseless, and when I tried to move towards my house, the snow had already stacked to about two feet. Like a living pulse, the wind rushed past me in torrents. This was the start, I realized, of an abominable blizzard.

Windows were shattering all around me, and the ice continued to pose a serious threat to anyone outside. I was very close to my house now, just a few more brisk steps. Upon reaching the handle of the porch door, I felt a stab of pain as a large shard of ice impaled my right leg. Immediately, blood started to pour in warm torrents and dried on my pants. I tore the bloodied knife of ice from my leg and ignored the sharp instances of pain that radiated through my leg. I gripped the handle once more and fought the unforgiving winds as I tore it open. I slammed the porch door shut and started for the house door. Peering at the surrounding porch, I would not have recognized it save the yellow tiles that my mom insisted on placing and the swinging chair that swung frantically by it's chains. All was in destruction, pictures broken and soggy from the water, chairs and fishing rods thrashed haphazardly upon the floor, snow forming a thick layer on everything, and upon that, the shards of the broken front and side windows! I clasped the house door and threw it open, inviting the warm air as it caressed my face. When I took a few steps forward onto the soft carpet, my sight started to blacken. My feet started to feel like twigs and my arms were as flaccid as worms. I felt my feet give way and the inviting darkness enveloped my eyes.

I gingerly opened my eyes. The light burned and seared, and for one second, I thought I was back in that terrible storm, left to die. Instead, I saw a hospital room filled to the roof with balloons, get-well pleasantries, and people. They were all hollering with euphoric happiness and they all charged towards me in a massive, embracing hug. I uttered, "One statement, please,"
and they all retreated back to the sides of my bed as they waited to hear me. "I know that we've all lived in Miami for many, many years. We've grown here, fell in love here, and made businesses upon this fertile soil. However, one implication bothers me," I calmly placed both of my hands upon my lap, took a mouthful of air and yelled,"WHEN DOES MIAMI EVER HAVE DECENTLY COLD WEATHER!?!?!?!"