Storms

I have always been fascinated by distant storms. Maybe growing up on the gulf coast contributed to this. Hurricanes, tropical storms. They were a way of life much of the year. 

I am captivated by deep and rumbly storms. I love the ever growing darkness of the clouds settling in some remote location still visible to my eye. Booming thunder. Lighting crackling through the darkness. The pockets of rain joining cloud and earth. Nature beckoning. Here I am. Notice me. 

Distant storms. It’s the distance that makes them intriguing. It’s the distance that makes them attractive. The distance makes them safe. 

Close storms are still gratifying. The feel of the wind blowing my hair across my face. Rain drops on my arms. Darkness approaching. In the closeness they are alluring. Electricity in the air makes me feel alive. Nature is now shouting. Have you heard me yet? Do you see the power I have?

And then the storm arrives at my door. 

Rain and hail pummeling. Wind thrashing. Lightening striking. Danger  moving from the esoteric to reality. It engulfs me. Unease gallops in. My very skin has an increased sensitivity and awareness. A bit, or maybe, maybe even more than a bit, of fear settles in. Nature is now screaming, do you feel my power? Do you understand how quickly I can slip in and change your life? 

The intensity is the same for the storm. My point of view is the change. My point of view is the issue. My conversation with the storm. How I feel varies with the distance. 

The distance. 

The thing about storms is that they pass. It may take a while, but inevitably they move on. They are like a bell curve, repeating what brought them here. 

Or they just vanish. Vanish as quickly has they showed up on the horizon. Poof. Nature whispering. I was a force to reckon with. Now I am not. 

In either case, what we are left with is the aftermath. That, and how we will respond when all is said and done.

We can focus on what the storm took. We can focus on the loss. We can wallow in the remnants. The debris. 

Or we can be thankful. Thankful for what we still have. Thankful for the new challenges that help keep life exciting. Thankful that we have a refuge at all times, but especially during the storm. A refuge that will see us through to, and in, the other side.