The temperature became lower and lower. The weather in this early winter was far colder than in any other year since 1950. More and more news about the severe weather was on the TV. And we knew that it would be an unusual winter holiday for us.

A great challenge was really coming. We were confronted with an unprecedented severe snowstorm. Everything was covered with ice in the beginning. In the following days, heavy snow fell and it made the whole world white after that. Though it looked very beautiful with the “coat” of snow, people’s anxieties were far more than the excitement. Different people were worried about the effects of the blizzard to some degree.

For the farmers, their crops might be frozen by the heavy snow and could not grow in a regular way. For the people who were outside or wanting to go out, the storm brought much inconvenience.

Staying at home, I didn’t experience much trouble because of the storm. However, my father, who is a driver, was still on his way from Shanghai to Guangzhou during these severe days. It was his responsibility to transport the goods to their destination. But the freezing and snowy weather caused the traffic to stop at a standstill. My father and other drivers were trapped on the highway in Jiujiang city within Jiangxi province.

During the first two days, we were still able to get in touch with Dad and he told us not to be worried. He said that the weather might get better and the traffic might return to its regular condition. Then he would go back home to spend the Spring Festival with us, the sweetest time for your family during the whole year. But things were not like that. The weather got even worse and the blizzard showed no signs of blowing itself out. My mother, little brother and I got very nervous. Knowing that everything was tied up because of the snowstorm, my mom couldn’t fall asleep during those nights. What’s worse, we lost touch with Dad due to the phone signal failure. What kind of situation was Dad in? Was he also eager to call us? What could we do? We were extremely anxious about his safety and almost lost hope that he would return. We could do noting but wait.

Several days later, through the news we got to know that many drivers and passengers were stopped on their way home. But they were not helpless. Many villagers living beside the road and soldiers were sent to restore the traffic and get them out of trouble. They removed the snow to both sides of the road with spades and poured salt onto the frozen road to melt the snow. With their great efforts, many cars and buses were able to move slowly on. No doubt this was the strength of unity.

Every minute we told ourselves that Dad would come back home soon and we would have a wonderful festival together. On Feb the 6 th, the day before the Spring Festival, my father came back safely, tired but wearing a smile. He had gotten thinner. However, the most important thing was that we could be together. We four had the family dinner that night and all felt that we were the happiest people. And that happiness was from the bottom of our hearts.

The severe storm has gone. Our lives have become normal again. We may forget the disaster caused by the snowstorm in 2008 as time passed by. I should say that the thing we have learned from it will never fade away. In this winter holiday I realized what the most important thing is in one’s life. As for my family, I think whenever we remember this storm; we should cherish our happiness more deeply.