We made it!
Blizzard Nemo gave us a lashing, but our very own superhero's ruled the day at Tabor and in Marion as we battled the snow and wind!
Storms are great for bringing out the best in people; and there are certainly a great number of people to thank for our safety and comfort throughout the storm. Men in plows, dump trucks and with shovels worked tirelessly through the storm, food service workers kept us stoked with warm, hearty food, and our Town and Tabor Administrators did a great job communicating about resources needed and those available to keep us warm and safe. It was a great storm in that way.
Another sign of a good storm is the let down I feel when it's all over. How after the excitement of the storm and viewing the aftermath subsides, when all I can think about is when the power (and heat) will return, that once the power does return there is a quick hoot of joy and then a distinct feeling of a let down: Aww! It's over. The diversion and excitement passes from the present to the stuff of stories.
We will remember how neighbors and families opened their homes to us storm refugees, enjoying meals, music and board games (not video games!) together by the fire. How we shared stories of past storms over candlelit dinners and took bets on when the power would return. How we waited together, patiently; we had plenty of time! We helped each other dig out, drain pipes: we were connected and dependent on each other. It felt good.
In this world where one can connect internationally through twitter, blogs, and count numerous friends on Facebook etc, it is ever more important to practice the old fashioned, community-building way of being physically present and connected to people. Thank you, Nemo, for bringing us the opportunity to slow down, spend some time together, to be present, to be depended upon as well as to depend on others, to help us find our way back through the hussle and bussle to our own true selves!
Now back to work!
