It sounded like explosive gun shots. Tree limbs snapping and fiercely falling. The sounds echoed through the valley and the nearly 3 acres surrounding my home. I prayed and peeked out the window. The darkness swallowed by the sounds. Nearly two inches of ice fell. Trees, cars, homes,…more importantly, people,…displaced, somewhat broken, and not functioning properly. This wasn’t just a snow day. This was devastating ice. It was 2007.
K.L. Hale
January of this year seemed jackknifed… at first. BUT, it straightened out with wonderful experiences (seeing one son and family and wishing the other one a happy birthday to end the month!). One year ago today, another warm day, I busily prepared for a forecasted storm. Having barely adjusted to my little “home” I was faced with a water heater issue, heat not working in two units (mini-splits) and the unknowns of what might fail. Everything seemed fickle (including my love/hate relationship with this new dwelling). Fickle happens. You better face it head-on when mingling with Missouri weather. A 35 degree drop here is normal in a 24 hr. period. Currently, it’s 60 degrees and raining. Yet by 6 a.m. freezing rain and a light wintry mix will arrive, turning to snow through Thursday evening. I LOVE SNOW! The thought of having a few days snowed in is perfect and peaceful–but, ICE too? I’ve checked in with my parents, my neighbors, and my loved ones. As I joined MANY others on the road this morning I thought of the desperation in some of the driving! Simply frigid! Food? Check! Shovel? Check! Ice melt? Check! Is there a chance this storm will not be as severe as forecasted? Absolutely. Again, it’s Missouri. It’s starting to feel like groundhog days. January, you tried to get the best out of me and failed. A fallout of faith is not in my forecast!
February, you’ve flown in attempting to flip as fast as an NFL game. Again, groundhog days. I’m praying for cloudy weather tomorrow morning at Gobbler’s Knob (sorry Phil, you’re cute, but I’d prefer you not see your shadow). February, you really try to bring the best-my Dad’s birthday, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and other holidays that I didn’t know existed. But not everyone loves the love oozing around-for some, it stings-parties, the prices, and the pressure to get the “best” gift. February, so you know, I’m already counting the days to Spring (47)! My faith must not be fickle-minded like the February forecasts!
Speaking of faith,…I put a lot of faith in things and people around me. Past storms, fickleness, temperature fluctuations, and forecasts sought to flurry my faith. Yet even after the disturbances of difficulties and dialogue, blizzards of blame, frozen frustration, blusters of blatant, and snowfalls of self-doubt, my faith is firm.
My heart goes out to all who are weathering the storms. And to those supporting them–thank you. To the workers, tirelessly, attempting to provide the basics, thank you. Don’t fluctuate or be fickle-minded in showing kindness–it might just melt a frozen heart. You are loved-no matter what. 🤍
“But when you ask you must believe and not doubt, because the ones who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown, and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:6
