Lessons learned from a storm

Okay so this is not really about the barn restoration but is still about my journey.......

Yesterday a wicked storm came through the area after a few days of high heat and humidity it was bound to happen. I was at work and came home to find some of my wonderful trees torn to shreds, patio furniture blown all over the grounds, my barn flooded and essentially the rain waters pouring in through the doors and down the alley way taking mud and silt with it. However, I learned or rather several things were once again reinforce for me because of it so for that I am thankful and feeling blessed. A part of the barn roof is now loose as well, but I remember several years ago I lost one whole side of the barn roof to a storm like the one last night- so I( we) am/are lucky indeed.

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1) Savour the things you enjoy- whether it be a person or even a simple tree......for life can change in an instant and suddenly they are gone and things are never the same

2) There is joy in spontaneity- joy can be found in simple things- such as sharing an ice cream with friends or eating french fries( chips) after the ice cream--- just because you can!

3) Don't dwell on the negative- instead find the positive-- ie yes I lost some beautiful trees and the barn flooded, but the roofs are still on, no one was injured( either man nor beast), and even the patio furniture which was tossed around was not broken. Even the glass table top got that got tossed and was still in one piece. I am still missing one chair cushion and will have to hunt the surrounding area to see if I can locate it.

4) Good neighbours are to be appreciated- although one of the big trees in the front garden bordering the road was blown over (into the road apparently) my new neighbour who we don't know very well, was out there with his little garden tractor pulling it off to the side and into my ditch. I went over to thank him and he said if I needed any other help just to let him know. You see he knows Francis is away during the week in Ottawa.

5) Good friends help you find joy- Serge and Marina came to see if I needed help with the barn or putting horses in for the evening- then they invited me for ice cream ( see # 2 above) ( I think they really came to provide moral support). So thoughtful and very much appreciated.

6) Not being able to help someone in need is hard for people who care- poor Francis was so upset about not being here to help me with clean up and provide support. I had called him to tell him about the damage - not to make him feel bad but just to share. I told him it could be so much worse and that it was fine as was I-- sure I had a little cry but that is just the way I am wired. Emotional release is good for the soul - I wasn't really sad just disappointed that the tree we planted a few years ago to block the sun from the bedroom is now gone......I love trees you see......and of course the 3 stupid pine trees I want to cut down to make room for that lovely maple tree are still standing.....uuurgh. This applies to when you are too far away to help, or whether you have to watch people go through something that only they can solve for themselves or when people don't want your help.

My darling maple tree outside the bedroom- snapped off like a toothpick!

So now I am off outside to take Miss Piggy ( the ATV) and garden trailer to clean up debris. The barn is already put to rights and the patio furniture back in place ( Serge and Marina helped with that last evening)..............The big trees will have to wait for my knight in shining armour( Francis)..how to ruin his weekend.... but he is my hero as I know he will not whine or complain but set about doing what needs to be done without complaint despite him having to give up his few days he gets at home each week.