“Riders on the storm
Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown...
An actor out on loan.”- Jim Morrison
As you probably heard, a Hurricane came knocking at the door last week. Her name was Laura. The whole area was getting prepared for her visit.
A friend I've known for 50 years now was in the direct path of the storm. He's another one of these rough, hard-knock, East Texas country-boy characters that I have had the pleasure to know. His favorite saying is, "Guru" (Rich always calls me Guru, a nickname inspired by my last name Correu), " I am grinded on a saucer!" For those who may not understand, he's referring to a machine with granite paper on a saucer-type attachment that can grind or sand a piece of wood or metal. It will usually polish or smooth it out, but with a lot of sparks and friction. It's an apt description of a man who has endured many tough losses and struggles.
I texted him saying, "Rich, it looks like you might get hit hard. If you want to evacuate, come stay with us. Leave--you still got time!" He answered: "No, I have to take care of things. Mother Nature gonna do what she does. I am going to roll with her."
I replied, "You sound like a Taoist; I am going to call you Kung Fu!" He replied with the word "OK."
I, expecting more of a reaction, repeated questioningly: " OK?" Rich comes back with: "You want me to write you a short story?!!!" Rich is a man of few words!
I was musing about this interaction after the storm took a more easterly course and missed us, hitting Louisiana. I was thinking about Rich taking Mother Nature in faith and good cheer. It made me think that every day we meet the unexpected--a deadly virus, a powerful dangerous storm, and sometimes a good friend, coffee, and a beautiful morning--never really knowing what will be knocking at our door. It reminds me of Rumi's poem:
“This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.”
From the Little Shack: God has Blessed us all!