The Storms of Summer

Day 170:

What started out as an uneventful day turned into quite the spectacle this evening, Conor.  The first big summer storms of 2012 came rolling through Virginia this evening, Boy'O.  And just in time for rush hour... Leaving the office a bit early to try and beat the coming rain and otherwise predictable gridlock traffic as a result of the tempests, I had clear sailing until I was just about 3 miles from home... And then it happened.

A torrent of storms came blowing in...  Lightning cracked the sky and thunder shook my truck with the veracity of a freight train, Boy'O.  The rain came in so hard and so fast that it fell from the sky sideways, and with drops as big as marbles.  The dark gray-green sky gave way to almost total darkness and in minutes the road was turned into a babbling stream... Sound dramatic?  Imagine sitting in gridlock traffic, no where to go, with piercing blasts of crackling booms banging over head, and being absolutely SURE you're going to see a twister.  I'd planned an escape route and everything.  Checking my mirrors and looking all around me, I was surprised to not see clouds twisting into a dark black funnel cloud.  Intense indeed.

My only splice was that Mommy got off work a bit early to get you home ahead of the coming storms.  And by the time they would blow in, you were resting comfortably in the house with Mommy and your dogs.  My mission simply became about getting home.  It took me a solid 20 minutes to get less than 3 miles, though once home and away from the madness, I breathed a sigh of relief, dropped my bag at the door, and ran to see you.  Safe and sound - exactly where you should be.

There are two things in this life to not mess with, Conor.  And only two... Karma and Mother Nature.  Both can be wicked tarts when taken for granted...  My first advice to you would be, never underestimate Mother Nature and to always realize that what comes around, goes around.  No exceptions.  You'd be wise to remember that, Son.

That's all for tonight, Boy'O.  Tomorrow is Saturday and it's back to the pool... Can't wait!

I love you, Son.
-Dad