Weather, we all know, affects lives every day. First up on local and national news so often over the last few months, weather can disrupt our lives in so many ways. Storms leave us literally powerless. Last winter’s tornados tore cities and families apart. Hurricane Sandy left many homeless, and dreams destroyed. The blizzards of recent weeks brought transportation to a halt. Of course the children loved missing school and building snow castles.
I was born in Kentucky but I moved to New England as a young child and feel as much a native of that area as Chief Wachusett (was there one?). I loved the cold wet snow. I loved the excited anticipation of an impending snowfall. In summer I even loved the fearful moments of a thunderstorm. So close that I could only reach six as I counted out it’s distance. Weather sadly affected my wedding day, snow fall the night before caused guests to cancel.
It wasn’t until I moved to the west coast, that I realized how much weather affects not only our daily lives, but our moods, our feelings, our brains. When I moved to Washington state, the weather was at it’s best. Clear blue beautiful skies exposed the beauty of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. The roaring Columbia Gap, to the painted deserts were gorgeous and uplifting. The daily summer showers were short but refreshing. But winter came and I found the dark, continual dampness unbearable. Not too many months later I returned to the east coast. Weather happens everywhere and it can do so much more than the things I’ve mentioned, Weather can unglue you then glue you back together again.
Yesterday I had the realization that weather has so much more influence on my thoughts, health and mood than I could ever imagine. Another rainy day like so many of the days before and I had to go out in it. Warm rain but dark and unrelentless. This rain followiing several days of cold, cloudy and damp. Dinner would be comfort food certainly, stuffed cabbage or meatloaf maybe. Tapioca pudding and brownies for dessert. Following my appointments out in the elements, I returned to my bed, to read and maybe slip off into a short nap. I felt fatigued and kind of headachey and of course the Lord knows, how the rain affects my joints. Just ‘under the weather’ as they say. But, then something happened.
The rain stopped. Almost suddenly the rain stopped and warmth of the sun shone through. I could see patches of blue out my window and the birds wanted their lunch. My mood brightened instantly. I got up and dressed and changed the dinner plans to simple hamburgers and a salad. I fed the ducks, watered my plants and smiled. Yep, I smiled.
Terrific, You should have written a book. You may be famous and not even know it. Love you Sis.
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