After the Storm

         The big news, of course, has been the hurricane on the east coast.  With so many of my family and friends living near the Atlantic Ocean, it is good to know that things weren’t as bad as they might have been.  It’s always wonderful, when we make contact after a storm, to express our love and relief that, although there have been disruptions, everything is alright. 

The Eye of  a  Massive Hurricane

         Sometimes we’re aware that storms are coming.  Sometimes they take us by surprise.  Hurricanes can be tracked.  We usually spot them forming off the west coast of Africa and we can measure their speed and progress as they approach the United States.  Other storms can’t be anticipated and can be very difficult, if not impossible, to track.  I’ve become aware of quite a few of these storms lately—most specifically since I’ve joined the Facebook world.  The storms I’m talking about are the more personal storms that come into lives causing disruptions, fear, and sometimes devastating consequences.

         In the past week or two I’ve learned that friends from my past have suffered many difficult—sometimes life threatening—even life taking—situations.  One friend’s dad lost his teaching job after 25 years.  As a result they lost their home.  Two weeks after moving into a more affordable home my friend’s mom passed away, totally unexpectedly, in the middle of the night.  Another friend told me about her sister whose 26 year old son died from a heart condition and within a short time after that her sister's husband also passed away.  A third friend suffered a life threatening bout of double pneumonia and a heart attack within the space of just a couple of years.  When I caught up with her she was suffering other physical ailments that kept her in significant pain.  And yet another friend just finished her last round of chemo for breast cancer.

         I’m sure if you survey your friends and relatives you will find many who are experiencing, or have experienced, extremely difficult circumstances.  Maybe you are in the middle of a howling storm yourself.  Most of these situations come unexpectedly—storms we don't see forming and, perhaps, can’t track. Nevertheless, they are very real.  It's great when a storm passes and we can survey the damage and breathe a sigh of relief, knowing we have come through relatively unscathed.  But many create losses that are painful and permanent.  How do we deal with those storms?

        I believe that it might well be impossible if not for the love and support of family and friends.  I remarked to one of my friends, who had experienced life threatening illnesses, that she sounded very cheerful.  Her response was, “Your whole outlook on life changes when you’re given, not once but twice, the chance to live. So I always try to stay cheerful.  Life is wonderful when you can be here with the ones you love!”   Isn’t that a great attitude, and a wonderful recognition of what is really important?!

         As Hurricane Irene churned up the Atlantic seaboard I made phone calls and expressed my concern and love to family and friends who were in the line of fire. They would have done the same for me.  How grateful I am that, when the storms of life come upon us, if we are fortunate, we are not alone.  There are loved ones near and far who are letting us know of their concern, and who will be there to help us in the aftermath.  Their expressions of affection, their support, comfort and aid are priceless and precious manifestations that before, during and after the storm there is love. 

TODAY'S GENTLE ENCOURAGEMENT:   LET A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE.  MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO EXPRESS YOUR LOVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS ILL OR SUFFERING.  OR EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE THAT THEY'VE COME THROUGH THEIR STORM, AND THEY'RE ALRIGHT.