The Force of Nature

The Force of Nature

Looking back the evening was lustrous. I can recall the long blue dress with the crinoline that I was wearing. The skirt was like an umbrella turned up with all its spokes open in full gear. I was so proud wearing something made especially for me. Everything about the dress was right and in place. Then suddenly things changed, when a gust of wind tore against the hillside. It came down speeding like a steam locomotive engine rushing by on the neighbourhood landscape. With wind gushing by at uncontrollable speed tearing trees and branches apart. There with my feet eager to get out of the way, my dress got caught in a branch and was ripped quite badly. Mother notice before I did and so she pulled me closer in stride besides her allowing the rip to go unnoticed. Right there and then other mothers and fathers turned with looks of awe upon their faces. Such swift movement left the horse, pigs, chicken and everything nearby wondering what happened. To my amazement nature was out of control. The saw mill one of the sources of lively income, at the bottom of the hill nearly broke free with fear from the jolt. Even now I can remember my mother reaching down grabbing my arms and pulling me closer to her for safety. Other voices were swearing and screaming what is this all about. Fierce men, with fist rose toward heaven swearing after the long-departed rush of wind. I heard my cousin declaring, "I won't forget that!" then down came the downpour. I heard an elderly woman say God is angry with the people for their ignorance. Why? People no longer believe or listen to his voice, everyone chose to do what they think is best. Walking after the desires of the heart and have forgotten the old path. She continues to say people need to know the Lord. We are living in serious times when we should be drawing closer to God instead we have become rebellious angry and spoil. Oh what a time and age we are living in. Young men and women no more respect their parent and what they have done and still doing for them. These people are like the generation of vipers that the great book talks about. The rain drops were so boisterous they appear as if you could hold them in the palms of one’s hand. But they did not remain long enough for you to catch them. Looking back as a child I did love the rain.  As each drop came rumbling down from the sky I would reached out as if playing with it and never able to get enough. While mom on the other hand held me closer and closer, my desire was to free myself from her sweet embrace and dart out into the rain but that I know she would not permit for mom was afraid of the rain. That much I came understand later. The rain ceased but is now too late to go to the children’s performance in town and that got me very sad.  It was that time of the year when the little children looked forward with great joy to go to the fair. Sad to say I had to remove my beautiful dress had something to eat and return to the activities of the day. To my amazing surprise reaching down to take my dress off, I notice there was a rip in my dress. There I burst out in tears dashed to the room where mama was. Mama oh mama looks at my dress. With tears flowing down my cheeks mama took me in her arms assuring me that it was alright, she could fix it. After much hugging and petting mama said now child go clean up my room and get your homework done. By this I guess you know what happen all the fun was over the rain washed out the party. Yes that was not much fun but mama would often time say child it is for your own good run along now and play and while you are at it just remember the force of nature is not something to play with.