Recollection

Electrical storms enticed us.

Each flash of lightning encouraging us to take another step towards a higher point, to find the best vantage point that we could.

To experience what, we did not know.

Except that away from the haze of town, going higher took us closer to the source, to bear witness to a force of nature.

Away from the street light led pollution that diluted the impact of every flash that seared across the night sky.

Away from the noise of traffic and people, we could clearly appreciate the orchestra of thunder. Growing as it did from a low rumble into the kind of fearsome crescendo that sends animals for cover and children towards the comforting arms of their parents.

In this place there was just us.

Bono sings if the sky can crack there must be some way back, for love and only love.

I dared to respond to that philosophy as I witnessed the night sky splinter under the influence of another fork of lightning.

I reached out my hand in the hope that you would take mine.

I found that your hand was already extended towards me and willing to be held.

An act of love.

A demonstration of grace.

In that moment I could dare to believe that there could be a way back for me.

That the lost years would be restored.

I felt acutely assured that even though the power of the storms of the evening would subside, in the morning, sunshine would warm my heart again.