Quiet Storm

Clouds scurried across the horizon, twisting and writhing their way across the sky in autumn colors.

The sun, low , a brilliant orange orb. He stared at it, but it wasn’t bright enough to blind him.

The wind idly caressed his body...teasing his emotions. Punctuating his thoughts.

He felt this particular .....moment.

He knew instinctively, that this was a turning point. He felt the universe waiting......

wondering what he would do.

He was at peace.

The flurry of humanity around him receded in his awareness.

A warm feeling surrounded him as he looked off into the sunset.

This was familiar.

He knew this feeling. He’d felt it before. A curious sense of deja’vu.

Someone was here. He could sense their presence.

It was kind. Understanding. Consoling.

As he realized what he was experiencing, a flock of birds took off into the sky before him, as if in answer to his silent query.

He realized there were tears flowing down his cheek. So beautiful, he thought.

Suddenly his body was wracked with emotion. An unexpected sob threatened to break the spell.

It didn’t.

He felt his fear and sorrow melt away as the sun bathed him in orange light.

It was so quiet he felt like he could actually hear the suns movement.


"so you are God", he whispered.


He felt like he had been winked at.

So much was communicated to him in that moment, and yet not a single thought entered his head. He was afraid he would miss it, forget it, not get it.

The presence just brushed his hair lightly, held his heart, and whispered to him.

"I love you."

"I’m here."

"it’s going to be okay"

The feeling trailed away with the last light of the sun as it silently dipped under the horizon.

He felt his consciousness snap back and he thought, "did that really just happen?"

He thought he must be really losing his grasp of reality.

Well, regardless of whether it did or didn’t actually happen, it was beautiful, and it made me feel better, he thought.

He got back into his vehicle and began to get back on the road.

He had loaded some new music on his mp3 player. He hadn’t listened to it yet. Perhaps this was a good time?

He queued up the first song. Jose Gonzales. Curious. He didn’t remember loading any religious music on the player. The song said it was called, "crosses".

He was well on his way now, entering the interstate highway, when the lyrics to the song hit him.



"Don’t you know that I’ll be around to guide you
Through your weakest moments to leave them behind you
Returning nightmares only shadows
We’ll cast some light and you’ll be alright
We’ll cast some light and you’ll be alright for now

Crosses all over, heavy on your shoulders
The sirens inside you waiting to step forward
Disturbing silence darkens you sight
We’ll cast some light and you’ll be alright
We’ll cast some light and you’ll be alright for now

Crosses all over the boulevard
Crosses all over the boulevard
Crosses all over the boulevard
Crosses all over the boulevard

The streets outside your window overflooded
People staring, they know you’ve been broken
Repeatedly reminded by the looks on their faces
Ignore them tonight and you’ll be alright
We’ll cast some light and you’ll be alright"


His mind reeled as he realized what had just happened...and the tears

came again.

and again.

and again.

For the first time in almost a year, he felt genuine hope, and more than a little awe.