The awesome power of the thunderstorm fascinates me as I sit on my front porch, cradling a cup of tea, and watching the lightning illuminate the sky. The force of the gale causes the trees to bow in submission to the power of the storm. The garden flowers lie prostrate, surrendering to its fury.
I jump as the thunder crashes, laughing to myself that it would startle me. The wind whips my hair about my shoulders and the pounding rain splashes up from the sidewalk in front of me and splatters my legs. I shiver, pull my legs up closer and clutch my cup of tea to my chest, drawing the warmth from it.
All my senses are on edge and I can feel the excitement rising as I wait for the next strike. Another bolt flashes and white light consumes everything. So bright that my eyes can barely focus and then in two seconds it’s gone. I’m plunged into darkness once again.
I wait… one steamboat, two steamboat, remembering a game from childhood. Thunder explodes suddenly, reverberating in my ears and my heart jumps in my chest. I smile at myself again.
I continue to revel in my diversion, relishing the anticipation then the apex, when suddenly the wind changes direction. Strong gusts carrying massive drops of rain pummel me, soaking me to the skin. My wet hair clings to my neck and shoulders. I know I should go inside, yet I can’t resist waiting for one more flash, one more crash.
Without delay the storm rewards me with a dazzling burst of electricity exploding with an instantaneous crack of thunder. Startled, my heart skips a beat. I can hear the air crackling around me, my skin tingles from the energy released into the air and the hair on my neck and arms stands on end. Am I shivering from excitement or because I’m saturated with rain?
It doesn’t matter. I am satisfied and I know it’s time to go inside.
