{This and That}

“Then the heroes rowed away to the eastward, to reach Hellas, their beloved land; but a storm came down upon them, and swept them far away toward the south. And they rowed till they were spent with struggling, through the darkness and the blinding rain, but where they were they could not tell, and they gave up all hope of life.”

As I read the words, I kid you not, the sky darkened and the rain came pouring down.

Then an hour later, we sat down to draw and listen to another chapter from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s The Long Winter.  We’re in that middle stretch of the book when every time the train is about to come through, another storm rolls in and their hope for coal or food is set back a few more days until the tracks can be re-cleared.

Just before Christmas, Pa tells them that neighbor Gilbert has gone to Preston to get the mail.  They’re all cheery at the prospect of letters and at the newly-cleared skies, but then Pa comes in from loading hay to eat:

“At noon, while they sat at the table, the light darkened and the wind began to howl.  ‘Here she comes!’  Pa said.  “I hope Gilbert made it safe to Preston.”

Cherry Jones’ tone throughout this book has been pitch perfect, and the way she reads this last line is no exception.  We all just deflated as we listened.  Pa and Ma, defeated at the prospect of another storm, yet trying to remain optimistic because–well, what other option is there?  And they know their girls are watching, of course.

This week’s stormy weather was about as close as my kids have come and will come to a blizzard any time soon, and the juxtaposition has been sobering.