Taking a walk every night is something I have done since coming down here to AZ. It is often 100 degrees out even at night, but it is a good way to clear my head and just try to reflect on various things in my life every single day. Sometimes Sean or Cari will come along, but lately I have been going by myself more and more.
Today a really nasty storm hit here in eastern Phoenix. It rolled in around seven at night, and it dumped a lot of water down. The thunder was so awesome! It just kind of continued to rumble non-stop in one continuous roar. It was something-else to listen to! Lightning ripped through the sky, and the streets were flooded in no time.
About an hour after the storm passed, all that was left were angry clouds, lightning strikes, and distant rumblings. I decided to take Amber for a walk. When I got the leash for the dog, Cari says- "You're NOT going for a walk tonight in the storm are you?" I said- yeah. She says- "What about the lightning?" I replied- "If it is my time to go, it is my time to go. I am not afraid of the storm."
The dog was excited, and we soon started our journey. The gutters were full of water still, and water even collected in small ponds in the various watersheds in the community. As I was walking the dog, we got to a point on our journey where I came across a small, quickly moving stream. I walked up to the edge of it, and Amber smelled it and backed away, as if saying "We're going back."
The stream was moving really fast, and it looked about ten feet across. I knew immediately there was no way I could make the jump. The dog just looked up at me like- "Well, what now smart guy?"
At work, there is this guy who asked me- "So what did you major in at school?"
I told him, "Early Medieval English Literature."
He asked me sarcastically and with a chuckle, "What's that done for you?"
At first I sat there, and I thought that was a very mean thing to say. But then I realized the answer, and I smiled and replied- "I saw the world and lived dreams I never dared. I walked castle walls."
How can you explain the significance of something like this to someone else? He just looked at me strange, and he didn't say anything.
So I stood there with the dog, Amber, at the edge of this creek that I didn't even need to cross and it wouldn't mean anything even if I did. I knew I couldn't jump the creek without getting wet, but I thought to myself- "But what if I could?" I smiled then, and the sky grumbled and lightning danced above us.
I let Amber off her leash, and she hopped around expectantly. She didn't know what to think. I had never let her off the leash in mid-walk before. I kneeled down, and I told her- "Amber, I am going to jump that creek, and you are going to follow me. Are you ready?" She licked my face.
I stood, crouched a little, gauging the distance, and then I took off running. I put my foot down, and I leapt as far as I could. I landed in the water with a big splash! My pants were all wet, and I was laughing and calling to Amber the whole time hoping she would be brave enough to follow.
I turn around after making the other side of the creek just in time to see Amber leap as far as she could and land in the water. She ran through it and up to me. I jumped up and down laughing, and Amber did too. Only the lightning, the far off rumbling, and the quiet night watched. It was a moment of clarity for me, and I felt so awesome inside that I wanted to cry. This is what life is to me. I will embrace the emptiness and unknown and love the oceans I have quietly leapt in my life. How can I explain my feelings and the significance?
No, I am not afraid of the storm.