A Thunderstorm
As a child I was extremely afraid of thunder. My folks would often find me cuddled with them in their bedroom during a storm or curled up and crying in my own room. Good parents seem to always find a solution to life’s little problems for their children and I had good parents. It escapes me now what story or fable they recited to easy my fright but apparently it worked to eliminate it.
And it also escapes me as to when I started to enjoy powerful storms along with the thunder and lightning shows they brought forth. Images of streaks of lightning backlighting an iconic haunted house are meant to frighten however now I find such images in reality to be calming and beautiful.
Like anything that carries a degree of danger, caution is much advised such as storms, snakes, driving a car, crossing the street, etc…but given that caution some danger can add to pleasure. Great memories include windy fall nights during powerful storms when suddenly the electricity would fail and our family would sit together in the den with candles lit carried in by my Mother. No radio, no television…just a family sitting together doing what families should do…becoming closer.
The only reason I bring this subject to “light” so to speak…a major storm just passed…no, no it’s still here…delivering lightning strikes accompanied by immediate cracks of thunder. Bright flashes of light appear to explode from the ground not more than fifty feet from my perch in the front of my RV. Thunder is deafening as it explodes and shakes the window. My dog shivers against my leg. I don’t care for this storm and hope it soon passes.
I understand the basics of lightning and the resulting clap of thunder. I understand the basics of the speed of light and sound, as well. And I understand a single bolt of lightning carries around a trillion volts of electricity. Too much, too close.
Ahh, here comes the sun.
