This weekend was the great blizzard of 2009 here on the east coast. At our house, we received a whopping 24 1/2 inches of snow! This is more snow than I have ever experienced in a single storm. Our children are delighted and puzzled by the snow. Virginia rarely gets snow of much staying power during the winter so this is a special treat. We are still snowbound at the moment, waiting for a private contractor to plow our driveway.

This storm will certainly cause many people to readjust their Christmas plans. From interrupted flights to canceled parties and performances to delays in mail and deliveries and even lost shopping time, the effects of the storm are far-reaching.

Fortunately, we did not lose power or internet access during the storm, and our neighborhood has been communicating by email. It is interesting to see how different people cope with this forced pause in their lives. Some people are going out to enjoy sledding and snowball fights with their children. Others are madly shoveling the driveway and clearing the walks, eager to be able to get back to their normal routines. During the storm, I was shocked by the number of people risking their lives on the highways and getting stranded by the side of the road–trying to get to whatever destination they were headed to as though they were impervious to the snow.

This storm causes us to think about how we cope with unexpected change. Some people adopt an “Oh Well” approach, quickly letting go of their old goals and adopting new ones reflective of the new situation. Others can’t let go of the old goals and doggedly pursue them even though the changed circumstances would not have permitted the original goal to be set in the first place.

Can you imagine the conversations that must be taking place today at the post office and delivery services? The Christmas delivery deadlines were already tight as of last week. This week, with shipments inevitably delayed or slowed by the poor weather conditions, will the delivery services be working overtime or will they “oh well” it, rely on the “no guarantee” clauses in their December delivery schedules and readjust their planning for the week after Christmas. Interestingly, there are no statements on any of the delivery services websites indicating what their plans are in light of the storms.

It is probably no fun working in airline customer service this morning either. If your flight to grandma’s was canceled due to the storm, you might not be going at all, might be going after Christmas or you might have to pay a lot more to make it by Christmas. Some of the airlines have been proactive about preparing people for the changes:

• Delta
• Southwest

Small businesses and retailers are surely hurting from the loss of shoppers this weekend. Yet, there are few indications of how they will cope with the change. Extend hours these last few days before Christmas? Offer additional sales and discounts to lure those last-minute shoppers? Do nothing? The communications are silent.

On a personal level, how do you prepare your children (or Grandma) that you might not be together on Christmas? What if “Santa” has been delayed by UPS?

1. First, don’t lose sight of the big goals and don’t let your own expectations of perfection get in the way. The important goal is staying close with those you care about. If Grandma comes after Christmas (or in the spring) it is just as special. If Santa delivers late, perhaps he can leave a note about the helper that got lost in the snow, with a small treat. Children, after all, need to learn about coping with change too.
2. Remember that you are not the only one who is disappointed. There are many other people in your situation or facing even more difficult hardships. Think of the number of military families separated this Christmas, for example.
3. Focus on the positive. If you are healthy, be grateful! If you are currently employed, be appreciative! If you are not in financial distress, give a cheer! Even if your world seems to be crashing down around you, things can (unfortunately) always be worse. There is always something to be grateful about. Find those small things. A good hair day? A reliable car? A beautiful sunrise?
4. Keep your sense of humor. Perhaps a good natured grousing session, allowing everyone to express how disappointed they are will allow everyone a good laugh about how hung up we can all become on the small details.
5. Remember this experience and build in a “disaster” factor into your future plans. Relaxed people don’t count on everything going perfectly all the time. They build in some time for mistakes, unforeseen events or even a change of heart. The unexpected is as much a part of good planning as the expected.

For those on the east coast, hoping you are warm and safe! Type to you on Wednesday.