Nothing but Rain.

I’m glad we have nothing but rain here as Storm Ciaran hits the British Isles and the Channel Islands. Gusts of more than 100mph (160km/h) have been recorded in places. There’s flooding in some places, some people’s homes have been flooded, and for some, it isn’t the first time it has happened. Some have lost the roof of their homes too.

So why are you glad for the rain? you might ask me.

Because it’s better than bombs.

Though our island home, sitting in the North Sea, is being battered by the force of nature and there’s a risk of damage to homes and lives, it is not the same as the constant terror of war.

I can’t begin to imagine what it is like to live in fear for your life and that of your family as bombs rain down on you. To crouch in the darkness, wondering whether you will live to see the sunshine, to feel rain on your skin or to hear the sound of birds song instead of gun fire.

As the storm dies down, and the morning comes, I will take a look around my home to see what damage has been done. My husband will set off to work as normal, with a hug and a kiss from me. Of course, I hope his journey is straightforward with no fallen trees or floodwater to deal with. I don’t take our lifestyle lightly. I know how lucky we are in our safe and secure world here in the North Sea on the British Isles.

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A post shared by Paula R C Readman (@grannywenlock)

I made this short video while walking to the library today. There were men out working in the heavy rain trying to clear the blocked drains.

While I’m sitting here writing this, my husband is sitting downstairs watching his car programs. Brutus (our cat) is asleep in the hallway, while Willow (our other cat) is asleep under our bed. We have no worries about when we will eat again or problems about finding fresh water and worrying about whether the power will come on again. Outside, the wind is still strong and it’s still raining, but there’s a sense of peace in our home, knowing we are all safe here.

Enjoy the simple things in life while you can, because you never know what will happen tomorrow.

Keep on Writing.

Chat again soon.