Notes from the Blizzard

Mother Nature has ordered a time out and it sure does give a person some time to think. I have a long list of things to do for my painting demonstration coming up this Friday, March 17th at the Philadelphia Flower Show. But the sheer power and beauty of this kind of storm event just stops me in my tracks. It brings me a glimpse into survival thinking. We need water in case the power goes out, firewood, soup to heat on the stove. Do we have enough milk for the tea? Do we have water in the tub to use the facilities in case the electricity goes out? Yes we replaced the shear pin in the snow blower that broke in last weeks snow, but unfortunately, we forgot to get gas. It’s resting comfortably under a tarp in the 2 feet of snow in front of our house!
All of these things, a novelty for us, worlds away from the countries where answering these questions is a way of life. Many people face the challenges of finding food, water, safety and shelter every day of their lives. These are the places that refugees flee in hope of finding a better life for themselves and their families…places and conditions that many of our forefathers escaped as well. We have so very much to be thankful for. I pray that our better nature will prevail and that we’ll continue to help those who have less than ourselves to create lives filled with opportunities to learn, to work and to contribute their unique gifts in service to their new communities. I think of those here at home who face the same struggle, homeless, sick and without jobs. We care for “the least of these…”. It’s always been part of what makes me proud of this country. I pray we have the sense and decency to continue. And I ask myself, what can I do to make things better?