Storms aren’t always about destruction. Storms don’t always ruin everything in their paths. Sometimes storms are necessary to create greener pastures. To refill a dry well. This idea applies to the storms that come in our everyday world and especially to the storms that come in our lives. Sure they bring death & destruction sometimes too. And I know that hurts our hearts. But after the storm passes and the skies finally blue up and we even catch a glimpse of a rainbow, doesn’t that show us why? Why this specific storm came through? You can’t tell me whenever you see beautiful sunset the evening after a funeral of a friend, a loved one, or a pet, it doesn’t cross your mind that it’s them letting you know that they are in the most beautiful place and wanted to share a bit of that beauty with you.

Good Friday was a storm in my life 4 years ago. But every year since then, it reminds me of the beauty. Whatever the weather, whatever the schedule, I am reminded. Sure that specific storm destroyed a perfectly good leg. Flipped a home, my life, and my family & friends lives upside down. But it also strengthened our/my faith in the belief that miracles do happen. It strengthened a community in a way you would never believe. And it brought me where I am today and taught me how to share my thoughts & feelings because chances are someone else needs to hear this today. Often times after destruction is when the most beautiful things come to life. And it often takes destruction to remind us of those things.

Life is as ugly as it is beautiful. But without the ugly we would never appreciate the wonderful. Without the sad we wouldn’t appreciate the happy. We get so used to the status quo of happiness (if we are lucky) that we often take it for granted. And while we need to thank God every single day for being granted happiness day in & day out, even if every day is the same, we also need to appreciate the bad. Because without valleys, we would never learn to love the little hills that life gives us. And as sad as it is to say, it takes someone else losing something to appreciate something we thought we would have forever, such as two legs. And even though I had to create that realization for many people, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because though I may be down a limb, it doesn’t mean my grass gets any less green after the storm, and especially that specific storm. My flowers are just as bright and my pond is just as full. And who can complain about a storm that brings beauty like that? I can’t. Can you?

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