The amount of water coming from repetitive storms that began last year definitely has all seeing California as the state that no longer
has its water reserve glass half empty. Newscasters have been able to use the most creative words to describe the future, present
or past storms with headlines, phrases and words like:
• Storms pose double-edged sword to California
• NASA
satellite photos show effects of California rain
• Pacific Storm Parade
• Atmospheric River
• Storm
slams California
• Rainstorm walloped
• Winter Storm Leo Kills
• Pummel
• Strongest
I do
not discredit the beneficial function of instilling fear in the population with the probable desire for all to ensure they are prepared. Newscasters’ follow-up with wise “tips” in cases of emergency. And so the news will keep us on the edge of our seats waiting
for the message of our salvation “…coming up next!”
I truly see a benefit from the early warning and updated information that
is provided from moment to moment during these times of constant storms in each of our localities. But on the flip side, I also
like to see the storm in its grandeur, as resource in nature that cleans up, orients landscape, brings life and sets the stage for
the new season.
I look at the succession of events as an observer of nature and not in any way as a meteorologists or meteorologists-wannabe. Before the rain, the wind sweeps in gradually moving from mild, moderate to severe as a tempest. Wind will shake the tree stimulating
the roots to grow deeper. Dead branches and leaves clip off, seeds fall, pollen may disperse and old rigid trees topple over,
almost as if the wind has the pressure calibrated for each item in its path. The air over the town receives its first cleansing
air-broom stroke as the temperature falls a couple degrees before the rain falls.
As I look up during this “calm before the storm,"
the clouds stampede in their ever evolving fashion, sucking up the surrounding heat to fuel the soon downpour on the landscape. The
storm hits, water drops in all shapes and sizes plummet from the sky to bring the most essential element not only to fill lakes and
rivers but hydrate the soil and seeds cleaning all in its path. Now the deer no longer pants before the dried up water brook. The
trees planted by rivers will bring their fruit in his season while the pastures are made green for all to lie down in the near future.
We
tend to see nature as a molesting outsider to our comfortable lifestyles. When dams made by men overflow, we blame nature or God for
permitting these events. But who is molesting whom I wonder? People will come together rendering a helping hand and break away from
their routine and be humans one to the other. A saying in Spanish says, “Todo rio regresa a su cauce,” meaning that “Every
River will return to its riverbed (water will flow again).” This is good to know if we live or plan to live near a river.
As
we step away from the drought and into liquid, may we not permit titles like “Biggest Storm of winter,” be an obstruction in seeing
nature come to our rescue with the most important element of physical life. Although we tend to want to believe our wisdom and
science call the shots, a stronger force seems to guide nature to give us all a rude awakening.
The body has a lymphatic system,
where unused particles or garbage is released to later drain into the blood and be further excreted through our stool or urine. An
amazing choreography of chemical movements permits this cascade to keep the body clean. Along the way many specialized cells are employed
to further filter each particle to either breakdown for reuse or make it ready for excretion. I wonder if the same is done in
planet earth to guide the flowing waters that bring debris, where sand and other elements filter along the way, even animals may also
help clean up?
An article noted that British scientist discovered bacteria coined “Extremophile,” or radiation tolerant bacteria. The claim of fame is that the Extremophile takes up harmful radioactive material and converts this to a less harmful molecule (https://phys.org/news/2015-05-extremophile-bacteria-key-nuclear-problems.html). As reminded by many environmental movements and documentaries, we have not been very responsible in our actions to protect our environment.
Although we might not deserve such overflowing of this liquid gold called water, the laws of the universe ensures balance is maintained
by manifesting graceful splendor to preserve life.
There is a story of a man named Noah and he probably got the same news flash but
he just got ready for the tempest and rested in his refuge from the storm. Today as I drive down this wet dirt road, I notice
the white horses grazing calmly next the flowing waters where the trees have begun to show their blooms. Instead of complaining
that it is too dry or too wet, may we just be prepared in season and out of season and enjoy the splendor of all. In the end
the greater force will make the storm calm, so the waves are still.