Through the Storms Fury

Today was to be a special day.


Today dawned grey and overcast and rain.


But I pushed on, a goal in mind. I was going to see a childhood friend whom I haven't seen in two years.


I woke up and showered and kids began to wake up and they were showered. They were going to another friend's house to play with other kids. Mommy was taking an afternoon off.


Their bag packed, mine packed, make-up done, and hair pulled up in a nice updo. The open-toed shoes were scratched as the rain began pouring down. I settled for sparkly flats instead.


It was beginning to rain a lot. The kids and I made a mad dash to the car. The car with gas in it. The small car that could fit in small parking spaces.


But you see, once I got to my friends house I failed to turn the lights off. After a mere twenty minutes inside that poor car had all it could take and refused to start.


Panic was close, and the storm was moving in, but I was persistent.


My friend's husband came out to see what could be done, and it wasn't really so simple as I am going to give your car a jump start. The battery to my car is in the trunk. I was parked behind his trunk. So he had to pull up into his yard turn around and then roll my car down into the road.


The jumper cables in my car were old and frayed and well they started smoking and this is when it began to rain just a little harder. The wind was picking up. He had other cables and proceeded to try and I made calls. One to my Dad for help, one to my friend stating my lateness.


My car started! It purred to life as if it didn't have one moment of stubbornness.


I called my friend, to let her know I really was coming, I called my Dad to let him know I was okay still pushing forward with the plan.


At home I swapped my car for my van with an empty gas tank and sat in this van and watched the wind push giant trees vertically and branches lean closer to my house. I talked again to my friend. I got the reassurance from my Dad that I could do this.


Though I have to admit he made me doubt. He said he knew I could in the car, but wasn't sure I could in the van. After it was beginning to storm pretty bad for Middle Tennessee.


So my first stop was the gas station where it was just barely covered. I got out and was almost instantly soaked. I had an umbrella and I tried to stay behind the van but this barely kept the rain from me. Basically from the upper thighs down I was soaked. So here I am behind a minivan with a giant umbrella cowering against the rain, my outfit is a thin sweater, layered tank tops, jeans, and flats with no socks, once semi neat updo and make-up. After filling up and jumping back into the van I had to wipe water off my feet and from the insides of my shoes. I dapped water from my face.


And I hit the road
  That I could not see


I drove it by feel. Thank goodness I am used to driving this road twice a day. I knew when to slow down, which I was already pretty slow, and I knew when there were curves. After passing through the tiny little town I thought I saw tail lights. I slowed way down and waited for the car to turn on a side road, and it did.


Thinking I was home free I let myself creep back up to thirty all the while wondering if there hidden creeks were flooding and if I would make it back home tonight. The big flood of 2010 and how it isolated my tiny town from Nashville was vivid in my mind.


After following a slow group of cars I finally made it to the interstate and it just magically quit raining so hard and now there was visibility.


My drive into Nashville was uneventful.


And I found my destination easily and yep, there was one semi close parking spot that my van would never fit into. So I parked down the street and walked up a small hill in the rain without my umbrella that I forgot in the van.


It was an adventure for sure. One that I am quite glad I followed though.


December 28, 2015


Job 37:6 For he saith tot he snow, Be thou on the earth, likewise tot he small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.