Actually, I have experienced one real live tornado within the past few weeks. Perhaps that is where I came up with the analogy for my life of late. My husband and I decided to get out of town on a Sunday afternoon by heading up to a favorite spot in the mountains near our home. We envisioned a nice dinner and a walk around the lake. As we made our way down the highway, the wind started to blow. The wind always blows in Southern Colorado, so that didn't seem to be a big problem. Then the wind picked up. Soon, a large "dust devil" was heading toward the highway. It crossed the highway as we drove through it. "I can barely keep the car on the road. We are in a tornado" my husband said. I responded with, "Oh, it is just a dirt devil. It isn't a tornado." "It felt like a tornado to me," he said.
Sure enough, he was right. That night on the news we saw a report that three small tornadoes, called down spouts had been spotted in the exact spot where we had been at the same time we had been there. In fact, someone had a video of the tornadoes they sent to the news station. I said, "That looks like our car driving through that thing." He said, "I told you it was a tornado." Of course the video and news story caused me to feel that perhaps I should not have dismissed the funnel that we saw and called it a little dirt devil.
Small storms can pack a lot of power. They can catch you off guard. When they strike, they are not selective in the damage they may cause. My husband said it was very scary to feel as if the car was going to be lifted off the road and have no power to stop what was happening.
We had our small and large storms this summer as a family. We are getting tossed about pretty heavily. These storms are not ones I can share at the moment, but we are ready for them to end. I'm ready for outside forces to stop the willful blowing of storms that catch others up in the fall-out of their pernicious behaviors. It is time for all of us to have some smooth sailing.
Yes, Sally, I suspect that you are ready for some smooth sailing. Here's a sincere wish for light winds at your back...
ReplyDeleteI am glad you made it through the "dust devil" okay. That would be scary.
ReplyDeleteI hope the other storms in your families life calm soon.
Life storms are the pits. As you know, I've had mine in recent months, and like you, I'm ready for them to be over. These stretches in are not fun to get through. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts. Hugs and peace.
ReplyDeleteI appreciated your analogy of the tornado, forces that are completely out of our control taking over our lives. It was also interesting to think about how we often minimize our "tornados" by attempting to convince ourselves that it's just a little dust devil! I hope that your tornados will blow through, leave little damage, and that you and your loved ones will be able to get back the calm that is needed.
ReplyDeleteDust storms and tornados are scary and can catch you so quickly and unexpectedly. So can life storms. I so hope you're strengthened through your life storms with the love you and your family have for each other, no matter what, and the fact that you've survived so very much in the past year. You're really due for some sunny skies, Sally, and I hope that you find resolution and peace very soon.
ReplyDelete...and when you sail into that smooth water, it's hard to relax and enjoy yourself. I'm always watching the horizon for the next storm.
ReplyDeleteI hope everything levels out for you and your family.
Yipes---that was a close call, Sally.. Glad you two are okay... I haven't ever been 'in' a tornado--but I have experienced high winds... SCARY!!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you don't experience anymore tornadoes.
Hugs,
Betsy
Our earth elements are really wrecking havoc to us earth residents these days. Here we don't experience tornadoes but just last month 2 tornadoes were seen near the big city and many properties also destroyed. Fortunately, they are not as strong and big as those occurring in the US. Scary!
ReplyDeleteFrom your mouth to God's ears. I will keep you in my prayers. I hope and pray you have mild weather coming your way.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joanne
I can relate to your stormy life and hope that all calms down for you.
ReplyDeleteHi there. I'm so sorry that I'm late in commenting, but it's happening again with Blogger! This post didn't show up on my blog roll, and I came over myself from the comment you made on my blog. I thought you hadn't done a post for a while. Gosh, that must have been really scary for your husband driving through that. Thank God that you are both safe and sound. I am so sorry to hear that you are going through some troubled times at the moment. It's not easy when this happens in life. I do hope that everything will work out for you my friend. Sending hugs and hoping that things will calm down in your life.
ReplyDeleteThat was a perfect analogy for often the things that strike our families are out of the blue and leave us shaking.
ReplyDeleteHope all those twisty things leave you and yours alone.
I hope this tornado season of your life passes quickly and that the remaining damage will be minor. This was a very apt metaphor and I related all too well--recent separation of my daughter and son-in-law and 40 year old son who quit his job to go to school, then quit school. I am trying very hard to stay calm, supportive, nonjudgmental, and ready to help, but not interfere. Hard.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you drove right through the tornadoes! I do hope the other turbulence in your life subsides soon.
ReplyDeleteIn the 35 years that we lived in Illinois, we never experienced a tornado. There was only one time when the skies looked like it was forming one. I remember the scary, awesome feeling we had watching it. You feel so powerless and puny.
ReplyDeleteWishing you calm after the storms.... Hold on and know they will end.
ReplyDeleteDust storms are fairly common in the rural area in east central IL where I lived for so many years. My husband and I were caught in a couple. very frightening. I am glad you are safe.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you are experiencing some turbulence in your life. I hope you find things settle down soon.
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy,Sally. Sending prayers that the storms in your life blow themselves out soon, knowing you'll come through with grace and strength and love, as you always do.
ReplyDeleteI too am adding my good wishes and hope calmer times are ahead. I saw my one and only small tornado in France and it was hair raising. Glad you were alright.
ReplyDeleteFond wishes
Carol
Here's wishing you smooth sailing for many days to come.
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it through the tornado on the road, and wishing for you clear and calm skies.
ReplyDeleteMay the road rise up to meet you,
ReplyDeletemay the wind be ever at your back ...
and until then, may the storms blow over and cause no lasting harm
I'm glad the tornado you went through wasn't worse. As for life tornadoes... we all get them sometimes. I hope the troubled times will soon be over for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm glad that you guys are safe. I'm sorry that you have been going through so much. I'm praying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Kathy M.
here's wishing you smooth sailing from now on..sending positive thoughts your way
ReplyDeleteIn Georgia we get tornadoes and strong storms often. We are never sure when a strong thunderstorm will turn into a tornado so we just wait. They pass by pretty quickly. I hope the storms in your life will pass by quickly too.
ReplyDeleteOh I feel the same way here but my tornado has gone on for four years! I want the storms to end--hope yours will soon too!
ReplyDeleteTornadoes sound real scary and although they are not usual over here..... it does happen occasionally.
ReplyDeleteWe recently had a spout in the air, over our city. If it had touched the ground it would have been a tornado. luckily it didn't!
Maggie X
Nuts in May
I wish you much peace and love in your life.
ReplyDeleteNo need to tell what they are. We all share times that are "unbloggable" yet know that we'll still hope for a peaceful solution to the issues. That how I always hope for mine.
ReplyDeleteScary, being in the tornado, I bet.
Whoa! You drove through it and you've lived through it. Telling on both literal and figurative levels.
ReplyDeleteCalls to mind "Storm Warnings" by Adrienne Rich.
I wish you the calmness of a serene summer day, Sally. I cannot imagine a tornado - especially when it comes to Family. I am reading a good book you might like (am only beginning it, so hope I keep liking it): THE JOURNAL KEEPER by Phyllis Theroux.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping some calmer weather in your forcast. Good analogy.
ReplyDeleteFrom a recent survivor of a LOT of storms, I send you wishes for calm soft breezes and ease. All the disturbances sure play havoc with our beings, then it takes a good while to repair and recover from the resulting damage.
ReplyDeleteOn to the weather related storms, I have been hearing about them from my sister in Boulder. They seem to have ebbed a bit, and I hope your storms do, as well. Try to keep yourself in "the shelter"
Yikes. I am so very glad you were safe and all right. That is scary.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be the summer for life's storms. I hope you are weathering yours as well as possible. Hang in there, my friend.