Thunderstorms

W

A fount of love that never ends and a spirit ever serving¹

Tonight I was the recipient of yet another of heavens gifts.  The flight to Leon, MX left me again feeling down and isolated.  A feeling that I seem to struggle with often.  After we landed and were driving to San Miguel de Allende the horizon was suddenly filled with a magnificent thunderstorm.  Bolt after bolt of ground lightening traced its jagged path from heaven to earth bringing light to the dark night sky.

As I observed this grand display, my thoughts drifted to the many thunderstorms I had shared with Julie.  We both enjoy watching thunderstorms.  Many of my fondest memories are of us and thunderstorms.  Laying in bed on at Saturday morning with our new son watching a thunderstorm.  Sitting high in the mountains or watching a thunderstorm come on shore on the Oregon coast.

The next memory that came to mind was the night that we learned of my cirrhosis.  That night we lay in bed and watched the thunderstorm.  Tears were shed as our life seem to have been torn asunder.  We talked as usual about dancing in the rain, but the rain was cold so we just held each other and watched its beauty.  Tonight, here in Mexico, the rain was warm and I wished Julie were here.  Maybe to night we would dance in the rain?

Like one of the thunderbolts it hit me.  I realized that this was one more “tender mercy.”  I also  realized that just as this was a gift of comfort, so was the thunderstorm the night we learned of my disease.  The Savior promised his disciples to send them the comforter (John 14: 16, 26)  and he had done the same for me.  I know now that when darkness seems to surround me I just need to take time to be still and feel its embrace.   Sleep still eludes me but tonight I feel a quiet peace.
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¹ Heaven’s Gift (Silence) by InsideOut A Cappella