Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Before The Storm













Watching this storm build was wondrous, powerful, ominous, assuming, exciting, erotic, and determined. The wind stirred and the leaves turned every which way as the sky blackened and the noise thickened. I felt it's wrath surround me and have little concern for how I would be effected. The strength of the wind danced a vigorous step and the pellets falling like bullets stung my bare arms and face. I saw bright light streak in a jagged, razor sharp line, promising fire. The loud crack and train like rumbles came from every direction, or so it seemed. I was consumed with anticipation and an odd hope for a fierce and wild experience.

The sky lightened - the noise thinned, the leaves calmed, the stinging pellets began to fall like delicate pearls and the promise of a fierce and wild experience was broken. I was ready though, ready indeed.

And so storms as they arrive and strengthen are so much like life as it unfolds, - darkens, brightens, strengthens, weakens, promises, disappoints, frightens, calms, challenges, provides, surprises, predicts, excites, deflates, and we each forge on through every storm - to celebrate the glory of the light and calm when it is over - only to do it all over again and again. Are we crazy? Oh I think not. We are determined, just like the storms and the aftermaths - we are hopeful of truth and surrender - we are faithful to what is promised and believed - we are strong, stronger than ever imagined - we are resilient and resourceful - we are everything and nothing - we love harder and trust. Through every storm, all of us, who are here reading this and alive knows what I am writing about - and so for all your storms survived - each one preparing you for the next - I want to honor your courage, mine too - because somehow, on the end of some lightning bolt or wind tunnel or tossed leave we ended up here, together. and I think that is amazing and miraculous. "Thank you" for fighting to survive all your storms so I could be blessed with the gift of having each and every one of you in my life today. Amen.





Love Gail
peace......

14 comments:

anne partain said...

Hi Gail, I know just what you mean about the storms, in my life. And, like you, I've come to realize that each one of them carries with it a gift.
It's so nice to remember this through your words, thank you. xoxo

Gail said...

Hi Anne -

so nice to see you here - and I am glad you enjoyed remembering the gifts of your storms.

love to you
Gail
peace.....

Wanda..... said...

Our life storms do make us apprciative of the sunshine of our lives and gentle rains of less severe storms...
personally my last storm was the passing of my mother 2 years ago on June 4th...the only gift from that is the knowledge of knowing how much she is truly missed by all in my family.

Grizz………… said...

Our lives are shaped by the storms we've weathered—by the winds and rain, thunder and lightening…and in their passing, taught us to appreciate all the more the following sunshine.

PENolan said...

I know the storm I'm in at the moment has gifts galore, but I'm finding it difficult to keep up my chin. Best surrender to the storm, I guess. Can't get to the other side without going through it.

Gail said...

Hi Wanda-

So nice to see you. :-)

I am so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing - I can only imagine how truly missed she is by all of you.

Peace and love
Gaail

Gail said...

Hi Grizz-


Nice to see you here as well. And yes, the sunshine is ever more precious following a storm.

Love Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

HI Trush -

Always SO nice to see you here. There is a place reserved just for you. :-) And you will get through this storm and be on the other side soon. How can I help?

Love to you
Gail
peace...

Bernie said...

Hi Gail, first let me answer your question, I honestly thought I had a few post back. Home for me is 3000 miles away in New Brunswick. I am so looking forward (as I do every years) to seeing family and old friends again.
Your hair sounds lovely, I would be proud of it too if I was blessed with such thick long tresses.
Loved your post, I love a nature storm, always have....now life's storms, which we all have are a different thing. I have had many but looking back I can see the lessons learned through each one. I have learned that "this too shall pass" and it always does. Some of my heartful lessons have been learned through the rough patches in life and you know what, I wouldn't have it any other way. Life is good and I appreciate it all so much more.....:-) Hugs

Gail said...

Hi Bernie-

Okay, New Brusnwick we took a cruise to Nova Scotia which first docked in New Brunswick - beautiful. I love that you are going home. :-)

And yes, nature's storms and life's storms? I was drawing a paralell- nature provides us with so many offerings to help us realize our life's journey.

You are so wonderful and I am SO glad I met you.

Love Gail
peace.....

Eileen said...

Hello, Gail, I came to your blog through Bernie's. I got curious when I read about your long hair! It is lovely.
I used to have very, very long, thick hair. It's still thick but only reaches my shoulders now (it was at one time way down past my waist, I used to sit on it!). Your hair seems to have a natural curl, that's very pretty.

This was a nice post.
I don't do well with storms at all, not nature's and not life's storms. I do believe that everything happens for a reason, and I do think even if a situation is bad/sad/demeaning/etc. is meant to be, I accept it, but I'm not always thankful for it.
'Have been trying to work on myself lately.

I'll be 'seeing' you in the blog world.
All the best,
Eileen

Gail said...

Hi Eileen- and Welcome!!

Thank you for your very kind words and for your compliments about my long hair.

I understand about your experience with storms and lack of gratitude - it seems you have a good atitude and trhat you are open to life's opportunities. All things in time

Love Gail
peace......

Eileen said...

Thanks, Gail, for your kind words (both here and on my blog) and thanks for visiting my blog. And, NO, those are not all pictures of my home, those are just 'inspiration' pictures, that's just my blog for 'home improvement' type projects done on a budget.
My 'real life' blog is the other one (Umma's World, my grandson named me 'Umma'). Please come visit either one at any time!
I look forward to getting to know you!

Gail said...

Hi Eileen-

I am SO happy to know you and I look forward to knowing more of you. I will check out "your" blog, the other one. 'Umma's world', I love the name and who named you. :-)

Love Gail
peace.....