I was about 40 miles from home when I first spotted it.
Archive Image. Boston.com.
It was maybe the darkest cloud I’ve ever seen.
In sunshine and blue skies at my current location, I considered stopping the car.
It might have been a good time for a meal break, a rest stop, or an alternate route to avoid the obvious storm.
I did none of those.
I drove straight into the black sky.
From a very early age, I’ve been fascinated by thunderstorms, drawn to their absolute power. There is something so majestic about the way Nature chooses to unleash that energy.
I’m sure it was a metaphor for the desire to cleanse from the emotional turmoil that enveloped my family for a lifetime.
If, only.
So, on this balmy summer evening, I encountered the downpour, the lightning strikes, the boom of thunder about 10 miles from home, passing through it, unscathed, with a freshly rinsed car, and a reminder.
All storms come to an end.
The skies were clear as I pulled into my driveway.
vanbytheriver 
As always, a pleasant read, one that many of us can relate to!
Very kind to say. Thanks so much. We have, for sure, all endured our share of storms.
I am so glad you came through the storm intact. Great to see you back.
It gets easier with each one, Brigid. Thanks for noticing.
Hi Van! Great to read your beautiful writing. Thank you for the uplifting reminder, it’s been stormy here all week. Perfect timing! Hope all is well. xo
Doing okay, Kelly. Thanks for the kind compliment, glad to be publishing again. I’ve missed so much here on WP.
No… I think WP misses you and your sweet voice. Hope you have a great weekend. xo
In the end, it’s worth it to not take the easy way home. Welcome back, Van. 🌞
Amen to that. Thanks, Julie.
Beautifully said, Van. I always loved a good thunder storm. Hugs.
Grateful that you understand, T. Thanks.
I love storms too, Van. I love it that there are still parts of nature mankind can’t control. A wonderful metaphor for life too. May you bask in the sunshine that comes your way. ❤
Yep…it’s a bit about letting go of that control. Thanks, D.
I have always had a fascination with storms – the extremes of power, sound, dark… and light, too. You made it through. I’m glad. 🙂
It seems to work that way for me. Thanks, Maggie. Glad you can relate to the storm affection.
Happy you were safe Van. Those storms can be a little scary.
Your story sounded too familiar. Only I was cutting grass on the garden tractor.
I’ve seen that happen, a little too often ! Lawn mowing interrupted. Thanks, Eddie.
I’m another one who love thunderstorms. I see it as a not-so-gentle reminder of who REALLY runs this planet.
It ain’t us humans.
Not so subtle a reminder, is it ? Thanks, Peg.
I like how you link the storm to your own situation. I never thought of that. I too love thunderstorms, that untamed power of nature. So perhaps that has something to do with my own power or storm! Awesome photo!!
I have no doubt about your own power, Erika. The photo was a perfect replica of what I saw. Thanks.
Amazing and I wish I had witnessed your experience… I really love it! Thanks a lot for sharing this, Van!!
Wow! I’m not a fan of thunderstorms! Brave you driving through it. I’d wait it out in a safe place. It’s a good metaphor for making it through life storms though. Good one, Van. 🌺🌷🌸 Christine
There have been times that I’ve had to pull over on the side of the road…not this time. Thanks, Christine.
Van
So true, so true. This to shall pass, we aren’t told when this will happen. We just believe God has a plan. Glad your back however many days you write doesn’t matter, it’s knowing you’re there that brings me peace.
M
Good to know….I appreciate you as well, M.
🙂
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it were just that easy to rid the past ghosts with a washing in a thunderstorm? I wish! Loved your story, Van. 👏💕
We all could use that emotional cleanse, Amy. I so agree. Thanks.
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there’s a book by William Boyd called Ordinary Thunderstorms which seems to me to be a contradiction in terms; they are all extraordinary as you point out perfectly
For sure. They have been exceptional this season, very intense. A sign of the times. Thanks, Geoff.
Van, I think this is the most favorite piece of yours I ever read. 🙂
Such a lovely compliment, Colleen. I am honored. Thanks.
A beautiful reminder that the sun always comes out again. Thank you, Van. Glad you’re back! 🙂💛
My pleasure, Tonya. Thanks for reading.
Wonderful post. I love driving in rain.
Yet another pluviophile. Thanks, DK.
Who wouldn’t?
No one I know, it seems. Thank you, Derrick.
I feel like I needed to read this today, so I very much appreciate it. Storms of a metaphorical nature are looming like that for me. I know I’ll make it, but unscathed, mmm… time will tell.
I love literal storms — I do. Don’t like to drive in them, but love to watch from the porch, or from behind the glass. And I do appreciate the shine on my car.
We don’t always emerge unscathed, but always better prepared for the next one. Life lessons.
Funny you mention glass… we had one of the very few glass-enclosed porches on the block, and were not chased indoors during a storm. No doubt, that was one reason I grew to appreciate them.
I’m drawn to storms as well, Van. Love being in one, especially snow storms. I know there’s a risk, but it kinda makes it more exciting.
Yep…that adrenaline rush does figure into the picture, Hugh.
Facing the darkness and the emotions that lie embedded there is powerful Van. Coming out the other side feeling cleansed and grateful is empowering! Saving on the car wash is even better! I love storms too 💛
Ha ha…the car wash savings…good call. And, we can always be grateful for that empowerment. Thanks, Val.
Storms in life are every bit as black and electric as any thunder storm in the sky.. Knowing we can face them and come out the other side feeling we are more refreshed and cleansed is a godsend .. Good to see you landed back home unscathed.. And yes, storms do not last.. Not long before the Sun shines and rainbows come out to colour our life once again..
Lovely to have you back Van.. and this was a power piece.. ❤ xxx LOVE Sue xxx ❤
Funny to think of it as a power piece. It was really pretty spontaneous, came together in a matter of minutes. It seems the unplanned pieces are my favorites. Thanks, Sue.
I think the more spontaneous they are the better, because they come from the heart. And the head has no time to interfere.. 🙂 ❤ I loved it xx
What an ominous looking sky. Like you I’ve always been fascinated by storm. Like you I would have driven straight into it…:)
Straight into it…for sure. Thanks, George.
I love a good thunderstorm myself. It’s scary, thrilling and magical at the same time!!
It seems there a quite a few of us, thanks.
Glad to hear the storms are clearing Van. Great post. 🙂
Thank you, Deb.
Welcome Van. 🙂
“All Storms Pass:” A lesson that can bring optimism to peoples’ lives if they’re willing to view their lives from this perspective.
It surely seems that way, Doc. Thanks.
This is beautiful. I know I’ll be thinking about this a lot today.
So many storms, Laura. Thanks.
That was a nice storm! Good writing!
It was a beauty. Thanks, Rob.
Storm chaser, trouble seeker, I see. =) This reminds me of the stories I read with T about scientists who go chasing tornadoes in the midwest.
Tornado…that’s where I draw the line, D. Something to do with the Dorothy name.
What a great story. I could feel the tension and wonder of the oncoming storm.
Thanks, Vinnie. I could feel it, for real.
I bet it was very intense.
I really loved this, Van and related to every word. I am a cloud chaser and have had a few close calls and would like to say I’ve learned my lesson, but got caught in another storm a few months ago. Here’s a post I wrote about getting caught in a violent hail storm: https://beyondtheflow.wordpress.com/2015/11/13/surviving-the-storm-at-ocean-beach/
xx Ro
Wow. Great stormy post, Ro. Thanks for the link.
That trip acts as a warning to all cloud chasers.
What a satisfying experience and post and I like how you infused wisdom into it ‘indeed this one too shall pass, no storm lasts forever.’
Some things…just make sense, J. Thank you.
Always love a good summer thunder storm we had one last week at good spirit lake…the goddesses were moving furniture 🤓💦 great image too! Hugs Van 🤗
Oh, those goddesses….Thanks, Hedy.
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