The biggest, most beautiful and terrible storm of the year blows through. Thunder booms and lightning flashes and our little dog trembles. Gerry holds her on the sofa wrapped in a blanket.
“I’m going to try to record some of it,” I say as I grab my phone and head out to the deck.
I record a few thirty-second audio and video clips while I watch the flashes and listen to the thunder that seems like it’s right on top of us. (It is. There will be reports of strikes and fires started by the lightning nearby when the storm passes.)
And then I stop. What am I doing? No thirty-second clip is going to capture the awe I feel in the storm’s midst. Who am I recording it for?
I go back in the house and find Gerry sitting in the dark on the sofa with Maya looking out the picture window at the storm. I realize he has chosen the better thing.
How easy it is to get caught up in things and step away from being present. I talk about it a lot, I think about it often, but I don’t always choose wisely.
It takes practice. So, upon realizing it, I begin again.
Indeed. I have done the same thing, rushing to record a thunder storm — and for whom? And why? Did I think the local TV station was going to pick it up?
We had a thunderstorm run through Yakima and Washington last night. 1250 lightening strikes recorded in Washington. It seemed louder on our little trailer but it passed and I slept to the sound of a few faint raindrops on our fiberglass roof.
I think it must have been part of the same storm, Martha. I can imagine it must have been loud in your trailer! It was certainly loud in our house. Glad you are safe. 🙂
A giant hurricane brushed by Jacksonville last week. In the midst of wind gusts, a UPS dropped more than a dozen cartons of books on my doorstep.
I am sorry for the havoc Dorian wrecked upon the Bahamas and want to donate to relief there.
Marian, how did you fare in the storm? I saw on FB where you got the big book delivery (exciting, in and of itself!) while the storm was heading your way. What timing!