The Storm
Lowell Sheppard • October 13, 2019
5:10 am: Sunday, 13th of October
Typhoon #19, otherwise known as Hagibis, has passed. While the intensity took hours to build, calm came fairly soon after a fierce 90 minutes as the eye neared. At the time, I wondered if we were in the eye, but decided, whether in the eye
or not, I was going to close mine
and try to find the land of zzzz's.
And I did. I woke a few moments ago to a calm harbor, starry sky, and a few thoughts.
The Thoughts
I had learned, or been reminded of some things. There was, of course, the training: Taking down and packing a jib, mastering my bowline knot in severe weather, placing double moor lines. Then, learning the behavior of boat - the noises she makes, which hatches leak, etc.
I am also grateful to the storm for reminding me of three important lessons:
- When in a storm, one's world shrinks to the immediate time and space.
- As the full ferocity of the storm is unleashed at your tiny slip, one does not regret any of the effort and expenditure spent preparing for the worst.
- Similar to my experience living and working in war zones, I was reminded that danger is a matter of proximity. A few meters can make all the difference between being comfortably safe or acutely at risk.
Finally, that one must always have live in HOPE, rooted in reality, but always looking for the moment when the calm and clarity will come.
A woman I respect, who suffered many storms and whose husband eventually fell victim to the forces opposed to them, said:
“Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things - with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope”.
Corazon Aquino
