Yesterday morning I was jarred awake by the sound of rattling windows. My heart pounded as I rose slowly listening to the wind howling all around me. I crept to the window and peered out. I struggled to see past the rain bashing against the window. The wind was blowing with such force the rain appeared to be thrown from the sky with herculean force. I tried to steady my breath and remember all that I knew about tornadoes (all that came to mind was Dorothy, not a great image). The sound of the wind was frightening but if I were going to be swept away I wanted to see it coming.
As I stared wide eyed at the gray sky, the house rocked with thunder and the wind gained speed, ripping a tree from the ground and dropping it on its side. The tree was one of three bordering the west side of our pond. It had stood in the middle and now it lay like a fallen comrade on the battlefield.
The other two trees bent and swayed but remained firmly rooted in their place. I gasped at the fallen tree and the strength of the wind which had felled it with a mighty blow.
In that moment I realized that no matter how deeply rooted we are, or how strong, we are all vulnerable to something mightier overtaking us. It was a humbling moment but also one in which I counted my blessings. There have been times in my life that I have been the tree in the middle knocked flat by the ferocity of the winds of life. At other times, I have been the trees on either side, bending but not breaking, swaying with the winds rather than fighting in opposition.
Unlike the fallen tree, my roots are never severed from the earth. The mighty winds have knocked me flat but grace has allowed me to not only rise but flourish. Along the way branches have been broken but the missing spaces allowed the sun to shine brighter illuminating the beauty of the rings or experience.
As I reflect upon the remaining days of 2008, I am truly thankful that I have bent and swayed but my roots have gone deeper and stronger. Some of you may have been like the middle tree this year, while all around you others were standing you were thrown to the ground wondering if you would ever rise again. From one tree to the other, you can and you will.
How will you remember this year? What are you most looking forward to in 2009? All comments and feedback are welcomed and if you like this post, please share it with a friend.
Friar says
2008 is the year I started blogging. I had a great 2-week ski vacation, and I caught a 34 inch pike this summer.
Those were the highlights.
Aside from that, I give 2008 a “Meh”.
Coulda been better. Coulda been worse. It was an adequate, average year.
But that’s okay. They can’t all be gems.
Andrew says
A very interesting analogy, Karen.
Personally, my own life experiences are perhaps not yet as extensive as yours or those of some of your other readers. Nevertheless, I have noticed that whenever the wind has howled over recent years, the times when I have been able to stand most firm are those where I have put my faith and trust in god as my creator.
Jamie Grove says
I’ll remember that this was the year I became myself with a lot of cheering from you! 🙂
As for 2009? I’m looking forward to creating the next phase of my life instead of searching for it.
Karen Swim says
Hi Everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Sorry for the delay in responding! Coming back to work after the break and furiously trying to wrap up year end!
@Brad, you limp better than some of us stand. I wish for you a new year where you’re so rooted you can lean and not bend 😉 I’m with you, new year? Bring it on!
@Evelyn, I am hugging you but not in a creepy way. It’s funny I had been thinking about you a lot lately (wonderful warm thoughts). I am so glad that this year was a good one for you and pray that 2009 will be another year of wonderful blessings. It’s funny I also realize that so often the thing blocking my path forward, is me. If I could just step to the side, things would go much easier. 🙂
@Lillie, oh Lillie, thank you and thanks for the heads up! Normally, I’m on top of your every post but I really did take off, headed there now! By the way I shared your pure green dreck tip with yet another friend who sends her thanks to you. You are helping so many writers, one pen at a time. Hugs!
Lillie Ammann says
Karen,
It’s wonderful to discover that you are well-rooted!
I have awarded you the Honest Scrap Award for telling it like it is. You can read the details on my blog. You are under no obligation to respond unless you choose to. I just wanted to recognize you for honesty in your posts.
Evelyn Lim says
I’m glad to know that despite the strong winds or what have you, your roots stay firmly rooted. It’s been an amazing year for myself too. There were many times when I put up so much resistance, not realizing that I should just trust and let go. And when I finally did, I learned that there was little to fear in the first place.
Brad Shorr says
Hi Karen, A year in which you discover your roots are deep and strong is a good year indeed! I feel much the same, really. This year threw everything it had at me in terms of finance and business setbacks (among other things). Well, I’m still standing. Limping, but standing! Bring on 2009, I say!