Weathering the Storm

As you know, this past Sunday tornadic weather hit Illinois and other parts of the Midwest.  The Bears game had an almost two-hour delay.  Some people lost everything they owned.  Some people lost their lives.  While we did not hear the sirens in our neighborhood, we were under tornado warnings for an hour or two.  My prayers go out to those who were hit by this storm. 

I do not write this to sound at all trite about the magnitude of the storm or downplay what anyone has experienced.  Rather, I write this from my perspective - trying to protect my son from both weather and fear.  I made his lunch and sent him downstairs, where Lino was working and listening to music.  I made my lunch and followed them.  (We rarely, if ever, eat in our basement.)  We tried to have fun and keep the mood light, particularly for Jackson's sake.  But I also had flashes back to when Lino and I were early dating.  We would sit at the table, just listening to music and playlists on the computer, talking, singing, and sharing our favorite songs.  On a few rare occasions, we would dance in the kitchen.  After the storms passed, I realized what a precious and rare experience we had that afternoon in our basement.  It also made me think of how much storms can reflect life, in general.  Out came a poem.  I share it hesitantly, as writing blogs doesn't intimidate me, but sharing poetry and the likes (paintings, etc.) makes me nervous and shy and scared.  (Putting myself out there artistically is very intimidating for me!)  But here it is, none the less...

Tornado Dance

 

Windows wide for the warm fresh air

A November day without a care

Supper was made as the skies grew dark

Wind roared over the song of the lark

 

Music blaring and laughter abound

Drowning the outside wicked sound

Offer up a strange new chance

And we chose to do our tornado dance.

 

Down to the basement for safe keeping

Too much danger for upstairs sleeping

Smiles on our faces as we’re all together

Safe and sound, whatever the weather

 

Music blaring and laughter abound

Drowning out the wicked sound

Offer up a strange new chance

And we chose to do our tornado dance.

 

Who knows what comes

Today or tomorrow?

We can live in fear and sorrow

Or take refuge in a tiny room

And even though the threats may loom

We chose to do our tornado dance.

 

Pains unknown, left alone too soon

Or angered, hurt, battered and bruised

Both were broken, but both took a chance

And we chose to do our tornado dance

 

Music blaring and laughter abound

Drowning out the wicked sound

Offer up a strange new chance

And we chose to do our tornado dance.

 

God, a family, music and a chance

And every day we choose to tornado dance.