As the rain poured rather pounded at times, it felt peaceful. I felt safe. When the wet sky kept pelting down to earth, I felt the urge to communicate with the water. Actually sat in a comfy chair and watched and listened to the falling rain. 

I began knowing peace and calm. An affirmation of the goodness in rain came to mind. No longer in fear I knew he, the storm would not harm me or my family. Perhaps it was becoming one with the water and sitting with it. That was a gift.

Communicating with our son in Kingwood more often was another. The peace in the storm came from the feeling of surrendering and not fighting Tropical Storm Harvey. Then it happened again as with Hurricane Ike, neighborhood people began to connect with their neighbors, even strangers.

Folks came together to exchange concerns, help one another and also rescue those in need. They volunteered, gave their boats to be used for rescue. It didn’t matter who you were if you had a need, people were there to help. A sense of community and a common purpose shared was healing and gratifying.

There was the gift of not racing with time going to and fro doing errands or traveling to appointments. It was quiet; solitude could be felt—sometimes rare in everyday life.

We have time to think and open our hearts to other interests besides going here and there, doing this or that. In the space of listening and letting ideas flow we can hear what’s important to our soul. We have the time to tune into ourselves and listen to others more attentively. 

Storms seem to draw friends and relatives, neighbors and merchants closer. We want to make sure others are OK. Likewise the merchants want to fill the needs of their customers maybe more so when the needs seems crucial. It is wise to relish the surprising blessings of the storm, clever to bring these gifts into everyday life. 

One more gift: When I went for an evening walk, the air felt clean like it had been scrubbed. The road, cleaner than ever. Everything outside was fresh, a delightful joy after the stormy weather.