For the Love of Weather

I love weather-storms that shake up our world and remind us of our position, our mortality, our size and vulnerability in relation to the universe. The more snow the better - wind, rain, thunder, lightning-I love it all. Of course, of course, I don’t mean catastrophic storms- I don’t ever wish for personal or property damage. 

Some folks are enamored by blue sky sunny days-but they hardly inspire a walk in the neighborhood-give me clouds that add texture and help define the sky-a sudden rain storm; an umbrella turned inside out. Let me dash out for milk and a loaf of bread and fill my car with gas-put something yummy in the slow-cooker and hope the lights go out for an hour or two. Where are the candles, the lantern, a tub filled with water?  

Weather gives us something to look forward to-it’s never just another ordinary day. We stay glued to the weather reports and flip through the channels until we hear what we are really hoping to hear. We batten down the hatches, gather round the fireplace, light candles and listen to the wind and rain. It is a power that is out of our hands -the glory of the earth that can’t be tamed. It huddles us together and allows us to feel the stir of the wild.

I remember living through some severe hurricanes during the 1960’s. My father would gather the mattresses on the living room floor and the eight of us camped out there together. The room glowed with the light of kerosene lanterns as we listened to the crack of falling branches and the scratchy battery-operated portable radio. We watched the tides rise until the creek almost reached our house and piles of seaweed, remnants of docks, shells and branches collected on our lawn. There was something so unique about that time-facing the elements together as a family. 

We longed for snow days and spent our time outside building snowmen, sledding, and watching the world turn into something so magical. I remember my red rubber snow boots that got packed inside with snow. It was hours before we surrendered to the biting cold. For days our entryway was filled with melted snow, boots, mittens, hats and jackets. The deep freeze would take over the bay and all of the local ponds welcomed skaters. 

Significant weather events create deep and enduring memories. I remember a beautiful sunny summer day turning pitch-black as my brother and his new wife danced next to our creek on their wedding day. The approaching storm turning her white beaded gown phosphorescent against the dark and threatening sky. And once I was asked to play the guitar for a wedding because a hurricane caused a power outage providing no power to the organ.

I’m not sure if this love of weather has evolved from growing up so close to the bones of the earth- the daughter of a Bayman. I am sure that I don’t want to get to the point in my life where I see storms as a nuisance.  Raking and picking up sticks are not much fun and by no means do I want to see our planet consumed by climate change.  I do want to continue to love the power of the earth, the sudden excitement of a storm; the ho-hum of the everyday suddenly lifted and taking flight. I want to continue to feel the inner delight and anticipation of this unexpected guest-this bit of wonder-this moment of divine glory. I’ll be the one home wishing for a blizzard!

 

Nancy Remkus