We’ve seen all week the images of Hurricane Matthew and now
his follower, Nicole, wreaking havoc in the Southeast. Apparently, it is now
our turn here in the Pacific Northwest.
Torrential rain.
Huge wind, with potentially damaging gusts.
Over the next three days.
We overhear a bookseller say to visitors: “Yep. The biggest
storm in fifty years!”
We checked our D-size battery supply…we can keep a lantern
lit for hours. If necessary.
No back-up heat source in a power outage. (I do have all
that Antarctic gear easily accessible. If necessary.)
There are plenty of non-cook edibles. If necessary.
Social engagement over the weekend: rescheduled. Just in
case.
Calm before the storm outside. Everything in the natural
world is still, presently. All of the humans are in fast-paced hordes, nearly
rear-ending each other in their haste to load up cars with provisions and
return home.
And despite all this, I am thinking, “Here’s what is really
necessary”:
Loving people.
Protecting the vulnerable.
Appreciating the power of nature.
Savoring. Relaxing into what is. Gently declining the offer
to drink more than one cup of tea with Worry.
Last week’s blog counted my blessings for a 24-hour period.
Today, I count my blessings again, proactively, with a kind of faith:
There are lessons as well as beauty in a storm; may all
beings hunker into unconditional peace.
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| "Serene Eve" - Photo taken and titled eight months ago. Perhaps this is the "faith" part. |
All blog images created & photographed by Jennifer J. Wilhoit unless otherwise noted. Please circulate images with photo credit: "©2016 JenniferJWilhoit/TEALarbor stories. AllRightsReserved."
