Whew …. Parents throughout the Miss-Lou were breathing a sigh of relief by Thursday afternoon as it appeared the area would escape the freezing rain, ice and snow of the nasty winter storm blowing across the Southeast.

Of course, thousands of school children didn’t share that sentiment.

With hopes of falling snow — or even icy roads that called for cancelled classes — dashed by the storm’s more northern track, children of all ages were resigned by late Thursday that the Miss-Lou wouldn’t have snow — this time.

It’s a bittersweet blessing.

There is something magical about the appeal of snow — especially in a region whose climate makes snowy days a rarity.

All the inconveniences of cold weather aside, the appeal of catching snowflakes on watching a flurry sweep past a grand antebellum house can’t be denied.

But the reality of a winter storm is found in ice — that coats roads and makes driving dangerous; that covers steps and sidewalks and makes walking a treacherous attempt; and that coats tree limbs, causing them to snap under the weight of ice and often fall across power lines.

And, the reality of a winter storm for many of us — elderly, underprivileged, shut-ins — is that adequate heat and food supplies aren’t accessible.

While we’re glad to see that our emergency and support agencies were ready to go — from the Civil Defense to the Salvation Army — we are thankful that none were called into action on Thursday.

And, while we, too, wish for a little of winter’s magic to grace the Miss-Lou, we’re thankful for missing the blast of this winter storm.