31 October, 2012

A Perfect Storm

I sit, in the dark, entranced by the sound of the rain and the movement of the tree that dances erratically just feet beyond my window.
It is dusk; just fifty miles of this metro area, Sandy is coming ashore as I type. We have spent the day focused upon not being outside and enjoying the electricity: laundry, dishwashing, cooking, maximizing our computer time. Although we rarely lose power in my neighborhood, I am not going to risk it this time as this storm is not the normal winter storm or summer rain, it is "Frankenstorm."
The cats and I cuddle into blankets listening to the reports coming from storm inflected areas. The loss of a peer in MD, the loss of the board walk in NJ, and a popular Md summer spot is gone - this all before the storm came ashore.
Schools closed, offices closed, governments closed, the area is locked tightly inside riding out an event they predict we won't forget.
The rain throws water, it contact with the window sounding more like handfuls of small pebbles over drops of water.
The tree is now a dancing shadow; its leaves cling to violently moving limbs.
"Why is it always so beautiful before something happens?" My daughter asked this weekend at the conclusion of a series of gorgeous fall days. It is as if we are given a gift of blue skies and mild temperatures; a reminder of what is possible. But is that then to suggest that what I observe right now is not beautiful? As it is just that, beautiful in a very different way than the days that we define as "perfect."
***
The storm didn't impact our area to the degree anticipated. As so often happens in the past few years, we "dodged a bullet." But the damage to NJ and NY is striking. While life returned to normal today; it will take weeks if not months for the NJ/NY area to recover, and it won't be as it was.

3 comments:

giulietta said...

Hi E,

I, too, have noticed how beautiful it is not only before a storm, but also after. Nature seems to unleash her emotions and then return to a happy state. Sorry to hear of the loss of your peer. I am also upset about the loss of so many historic gems like the boardwalk and a rollercoaster. We can't get back these fragile reminders of the past. It's takes a loss of historic structures to understand why so many people - like me - work so hard to save them.

I live in Mass and we saw a lot of tree damage in my area. Think the ocean areas got hit much harder.

Nature cannot be controlled ....

G.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi TE .. I'm glad you're all safe .. and I hope there's not too much clearing up to do - or after hassles for you and your daughter ..

Look after yourself - with thoughts Hilary

Lesley said...

Though I haven't been able to comment, I read that you all were okay and fared better than expected. I was relieved for you.
Take care!