I have a loving relationship with a hurricane named Gloria. It was named after one of my favorite aunts, says the 5 year old that holds life long residence in my heart. That hurricane and my memories of that day were who my aunt was, strong, fun, loud and generous. Oh, how I loved my Aunt Gloria. Having a hurricane of her very own only raised that pedistal she was mounted on.
I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful day. Trees and power lines were down all around. My mom baking bread, the power out and our bathtub full of water. I don't know if the storm was high risk where we lived at that time. If it was my parents never let on. That's not how they do things. They find the pleasure in the suckiest of situations. Their storm clouds have at least 3 coats of immaculately applied silver linings, not a missed brush stroke in sight.
My dad took us out to assess the casualties after his daily 3 mile jog. One umbrella tree (that I had never noticed in my lifelong residence on those four acres of backyard), one rotten tree at Carol and Bob's down the street, and numerous branches on power lines that we were not allowed to walk under. Oh man, that day was the best. My parents, my sister, my grandmother and I spent the day together. It wasn't Thanksgiving or Christmas or Easter. No stiff collars, ironed dresses or tights with the crotch constantly pulling down to my knees. We could stay in our jammies all day, play and eat bread. The whole house had that fresh baked bread smell. It is one of my fondest memories from growing up. I'm sure the winds blew and it rained buckets. But I don't remember. Family and fresh bread.
I was 5 or 6. The same age my daughter is now.
Today, is Hurricane Sandy. Named after our dear friend, Sandy, says my inner 6 year old. And so far the personality of this storm is that of our sweet Sandy. She is mild mannered (so long as you live where we do and aren't on some pier in Atlantic City). Some rain, some gusts of wind here and there, some blues skies and sunshine, good food, friends and no school.
I spent the morning doing yard work. Taking down the swings, bringing in the sandbox toys, loading the wood bins, raking, and gathering kindling. The sky cleared at one point to a bright blue and the sun came out. It misted most of the afternoon. No big deal. One daughter went to a friends to play the other to her grandparents. I made a dinner that everyone enjoyed. We had popcorn and apples with peanut butter for dessert while watching a movie and making headbands.
Goodness golly, it was a great day.
That is hard to say. Others didn't have the same day we did. There is vast devistation and loss. Mothers have lost their children. Families have lost their homes. Beaches have been swept to sea along with the roads leading to them. People are hungry, thirsty, scared, and cold. They have a very different view of today.
I like to think that my parents have passed to me the capacity to create joy in ugly situations and that I am doing the same for my children.
My daughter's favorite place to be is school. She'd be there 7 days a week if she could. Do I have school on Saturday? Why don't we have school on Labour Day? Oh and forget telling her she is too sick to go to school, the day will be spend asking if she'll be going to school tomorrow and wondering what she is missing today!
Except for today. Hurricane Day. No school today. No school tomorrow.
"Since its a hurricane day can we eat breakfast in front of the fire?" No school and eating bacon in front of the wood stove. I won her over. Our storm clouds are glazed in bacon, that's just as good as silver.
