Storms

So many storms.

It was just one after another.

Bluffs worn down, trees uprooted, logs in the highway.

It was quite the stormy month!

The stairs to Surfer's destroyed.

Trees rolling along in the waves after ripped from wherever.

I just watched it all. 

Hoping no tree would fall on our home:0

But in a strange way, it was good to let nature take over and just submit to it.

It has been on my mind to write. 

To take into account maybe some of my storms the last couple of years.

 We all have them! 

Small, or big, intense or light...whatever category, they are storms nonetheless.

With some storms in life we get warnings...postings...people talking... But what happens when you have no idea and it just catches you off guard?

I didn't know about the wind.

 I didn't realize it was going to accompany the rain.

 I didn't realize I would just watch outside my window pine and cypress trees sway and bend and then crash down with all the splintering and crackling sound effects of an action movie in front of my home.

double red flags is a gale warning...never knew that.

Do not set sail people!

our tree lot had an accident :(

With all of these storms,

I have been thinking about our life. 

Why are we here?

 sigh

well, there's that thing about building our house

Why am I still asking this?

Or maybe, why am I here and Clay's in LA?

He has a job we feel is still the right thing for now.

Why did Henry have to go through so much already?

Because he is strong. Lucy helped me see that.

I have some more why questions...knowing they seldom have an answer but more of a feeling that everything will be okay.

That there is a purpose to these storms. 

Or maybe I'm just good at the clean up part :)

These storms have been emotional and spiritual.

Sometimes I wish I could flee.

Travel in a time machine... back to my old life tucked under the mountains in Boulder.

We worked so hard to build that life and then we walked away.

Why? 

But that really isn't the purpose of life.

You can't really go back.

It's never going to be the same.

Trust me, we have thought about it over and over again.

Did we miss the warning signs?

Were the flags up?

It's already windy out there haha...so that wasn't it.

If I really believe what I think I believe about life

 and its purpose, 

then I'd have to say all of us have been uniquely tried and tested.

And I think we are uniquely finding joy in the parts that really are joyful. 

There is much to be thankful for and to do here :)

Things I have learned in this season:

Mental health is worth taking cate of.

Spiritual health deserves to be protected.

And deserves your time.  

Emotional health has taught me this time around, 

I can't go down with the ship.

So, these winter storms were just reminding me of what a storm can really bring in life :)

Storms usually leave a trail of debris and mess behind. 

We need to remember to take the time to clean up after the storms in our lives.

Emergency crews come right away but only if it truly is an emergency.

Our move up here felt like an emergency.

Emotional and spiritual resilience is real and needed in our lives. 

I ebb and flow with it but if I prepare myself and keep my reservoir at least half full...I won't sink :)

Surfer's Beach looking fresh with all this new sand:)

And usually, a storm can completely change the landscape and aid to sustain and grow new life.

Hetch Hetchy in action during a storm. Look at all that beautiful water!

As hard as they may be, I have immense gratitude for our storms in life and the beauty of change brought by them💕

Peace, be still :)