Bittersweet

There's something bittersweet about the sun coming out after a storm..

We fight back the urge to yell "stay and fight" as if we could somehow get the upper hand in a battle with such fierce forces.  So many of us display true courage in the face of an oncoming storm by boldly proclaiming our intention to ride it out.  We fly our flag of rightful ownership in Nature's face.
Some are eager to evacuate.  Some see evacuation as weakness.  Some remain in their homes and businesses to endure the hardships that are sure to accompany a severe storm in an effort to do their best to stand their ground.  Courage is an admirable trait, but in this age of instant communication and amazing weather forecasting technology, we can't help but wonder at how many people take the risk of standing up to such a foe.  Nature knows no diplomacy.  Destruction leaves us bitter. 

We need to learn from Hurricane Sandy as we did from Hurricane Irene and from all the intense storms of the past.  The best way to foil the storm is to step out of its way.  Structures can be rebuilt.  Things can be replaced.  We will be back to shed our tears and mourn our losses, but we'll also be back with new resolve to build a new and quite possibly a better place to live and work.  We'll marvel at the strength of family and neighbors.  We'll encounter generous strangers and we'll realize a new bond with humanity that lay dormant until the tides receded.  And therein lies the sweet part.  CB