Archive for the ‘Storms’ tag

Lightning, Thunder and Wind…Oh My!

This week, the Little Yellow House has seen its share of lightning and thunder. Giant, at age 5 already an aspiring meteorologist, is simultaneously fascinated and fearful of Nature’s forceful display of heat, sound and wind while Elf watches her big brother’s reactions and then copies exactly what he does…running from window to window, shouting out important-sounding weather words, running to me for comfort and protection with every bang and pop. Off and on, Elf found safety under a well-worn quilt, wishing the storm would just pass. Haven’t we all felt like that at one point or another?

So what’s a parent to do? Some parents share the science of storms while others make up fanciful stories about giants bowling to explain what is happening up there. Well, we’ve done the science thing and I reached a point this week when we started singing. Oh, and sing we have. At the top of our lungs. We’ve got guts and sass and we are loud! Sometimes, if we try really hard, we even drown out the sound of the storm! Here’s our most recent version of the Storm Song.

(Sung to the tune, “Are You Sleeping?”)

I hear thunder.
I see lightning.
Yes, I do.
Yes, I do.

Thunder is loud.
Lightning is bright.

Storms don’t stay long.
I am safe. I am brave.

Giant’s wise and loving teacher, Ms. M, also shared a wonderful book recommendation with us this week: Thundercake by Patricia Polacco. It’s a loving story about a grandmother who helps her granddaughter conquer her fear of thunderstorms, giving her mastery over something loud, large, unpredictable and pretty darn scary. What a wonderful gift.

At ReEnchant, we celebrate those striving to create heaven on earth. Peace, safety and comfort to the heart, soul and body begins at home. As I hold my babies close while the wind shifts tree bodies back and forth like wobbly inflatable balloon people and torrents of rain fall down from the sky, I hope that Elf and Giant feel my love for them. It runs as fierce and electric as the storm that rages outdoors. May they always feel safe, loved and nurtured here at home, here together, regardless of what goes on outside our front door. That is what our family stands for…forever and ever and always.

What gifts have you shared with your children this week?