Big Wind Blows

Looking at a prior journal page, I am struck by the connection between the sketch in the margin of the April 4th post and the title in the margin below it capturing the essence of April 5th entry. Along with sketching I often capture the essence of a post by writing a title in the margin to further anchor the message.

The sketch is of our almost 4-year-old granddaughter and her neighbourhood friend swinging together at the park while a big wind blew.

That cold, forceful wind moaned like an ocean as it tossed the crowns of ancient fir and poplar tree stands nearby. Regardless of the biting wind battering all, the two little girls in their pink coats swing and swing.

As they begin to swing in perfect unison they burst into gales of laughter.

Swinging. Laughing. Laughing. Shining smiling faces.

Their joy warmed all who watched

Below this day’s sketch of the girls swinging as the big wind blows is a title in the margin summarizing what I awoke to the next day: LOUD RINGING IN RIGHT EAR!

Today seeing these two posts highlighted, one above the other in my journal margin, I am smitten by the metaphor for life. The two joyous little girls swinging are sandwiched between the Big Wind Blows and the LOUD RINGING IN EAR. A clue how to navigate life when the big challenges blow in.

We can huddle, hide, and protect ourselves from others and life…. Or we can stay open as the big wind blows to drops of grace…pearls of joy…there in the midst of it all.