The wind and I go back a long way. In my younger years I loved to stay outside as long as I could before a storm. As I felt the wind pick up speed, saw the dark clouds roll in and the trees swaying, I felt a sense of freedom and power. The photo below was created by my youngest daughter. It reminded me so much of a younger me when I saw it, though when she made it I don’t think she had me in mind.
Stormy Winds
Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, we experienced pretty warm weather, especially in the summer. When a storm came up, which it often did very quickly, the touch of the wind and then the rain provided some relief. But, just as quickly, the storm would subside.
The sun would come out again, and as the street dried, you could see the steam rise. There was so much humidity the air was hot, sticky and even warmer than before the storm. No wonder I enjoyed the refreshment brought by the wind!
[bctt tweet=”Sometimes the wind would almost push me along. Other times I would run into it feeling it rush across my face and lift my hair.” username=”GaylWright”]
It was a wonderful feeling to stand there or slowly wander around the yard, twirling with my arms outstretched, as the wind grew stronger. I loved it!
I had a lot of fun outside as a kid playing basketball, tag football or cops and robbers with my brothers along with other neighborhood kids. Riding my bike and swinging on the swings were things I enjoyed the most, because I loved the feel of the wind.
A Mom Too Busy for Outdoors
After I grew up, married and while raising seven children, I spent less and less time outside. I wanted to be out there, but with such a large family there was always something to do. I often felt overwhelmed. There were meals to prepare, laundry, cleaning house, and more. My girls were a big help but there was still a lot for which I was responsible.
[bctt tweet=”I thought it was my duty to take care of everything, but I neglected to care for myself properly. It seemed like there was no time to go out and enjoy nature.” username=”GaylWright”]
It wasn’t that I never went outside, but it was not as often as it should have been. My children spent many hours out of the house and I would join them on occasion. I now wish I had done it more.
Storms would come and go, but I forgot the joy I found out in the wind. I forgot how nice it was to relax outdoors and enjoy the beauty.
Wind Changes
There are cycles in our lives, though. The winds of change bring different seasons in our lives. About six years ago I took a collective led by Jennifer Upton, who encouraged us to look at ordinary things in new ways to see the beauty. I learned to slow down and really look at what is around me.
Jennifer suggested we go outdoors every day and take time to really see things, not just quickly pass them by. Armed with cameras we would take photos and share them on our special Facebook page. It reminded me of how much enjoyment I find when outdoors. It has forever changed me.
I learned to notice things I would have missed before. Sitting on our hillside feeling the warm sunshine and the gentle breeze caressing my face and hair is a favorite pasttime. I love to sit on my porch swing enjoying the wind as it whistles through the trees and plays haunting melodies on the chimes. Truly the glory of the Lord is revealed in the heavens and the earth.
Psalm 8:1
LORD, our Lord, how magnificent is your name throughout the earth. You have covered the heavens with your majesty!
It doesn’t storm as much here in South Carolina as it did in Florida, but…
I still love the feeling of wind before a storm.
[bctt tweet=”What about you? Did you do things in childhood and then get too busy to enjoy the same things as an adult? Is there a way to change our schedules and include important outdoor time?” username=”GaylWright”]
I’m linking up with: #InspireMeMonday, #LMMLinkup, #HeartEncouragement
The original post was shared April 29, 2015, on Cara Strickland’s blog as a part of her de(tales) series., but I have edited and updated it to share here today.
I’ve always liked the rain and being on a porch during a good rain!
Yes, it’s wonderful! Another way you and I are “kindred spirits” 🙂 Blessings and love to you, dear Susan! xo
I love your thoughts here! I love the wind, too! I was born and spent the first 10 years of my life on a farm in South Dakota. When I moved to California, I loved windy days but never made the connection to my childhood. The first time I made a trip to SD as an adult I stepped out of the car and into the wind! It hit me then that my love of wind is part of my childhood and is synonymous with “home.”
Carol, thank you so much! I actually lived for about a year in South Dakota, so I know about those winds! I love that when you went back you equated your love of wind with your childhood and home. Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. Blessings to you!
This is beautiful, Gayl! I love how you eulogise about nature and the joy it brings to you. We’ve just had two quite severe back-to-back storms rocking parts of the UK. Many areas have had flooding and destruction of their property, so we are thankful for only minor disruption here, though the wind has been noisy, strong and continuous for several days. As we already have a leak in the roof, we are so grateful it hasn’t leaked through! Let the wind blow free in your soul, face and hair, my friend. Enjoy it if you can! Blessings and love. xoxo 🙂 <3
Thank you so much, Joy. Seems like there have been storms in lots of places recently. There was flooding near me the likes of which I don’t remember in all the 21 years we’ve lived here! So glad the water has not leaked through your roof. Sometimes the wind can be damaging, but I do enjoy when it’s not so bad. Thank you, Joy for your admonition to “let the wind blow free in my soul, face and hair.” Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear friend! xoxo
Gayl, I’m sorry to hear your area has experienced flooding too. Nature is a wonderful thing for us to enjoy but its effects can be devastating sometimes. I don’t do enough of letting the wind, rain or sun on my face because of being housebound for months at a time. So I love to imagine those occurrences and encourage others to make the most of them if they are able to. Hope the weather calms down enough for you to do just that. Love, blessings and hugs to you, dear friend! xoxo 💜
Dear Joy, I hope you can get more time in the sun and wind, but at least be able to see out the window and enjoy. I appreciate your encouragement so much, dear friend. Much love with hugs and blessings! xoxo
Our God truly has created such a majestic world all around us! Even when we lived in the city, we found the wild wind (especially in Chicago!) and gentle glimpses of springtime around us. Thank you for these precious reminders to take the time to watch for His majesty in the outdoors. I can’t get out as often as I used to, but I still can pause and just look out the windows throughout my day. May I keep my heart open for more of that! Blessings, love, and hugs to you Dear Friend! xoxo
Amen! God’s creation is beautiful! It is a blessing that you can stop and look out the window even when you can’t get outside. I pray that you will enjoy many times of gazing at the beauty of creation. Blessings, love and hugs right back to you my sweet friend! xoxo
You hit the nail on the head – we need to schedule important outdoor time into our days. We try during good weather to go to the lake a couple times a month and just sit outside and enjoy the beauty. Last year we didn’t get to go much, hoping to do much better this year.
And I do understand about the being outside when the wind picks up just before a storm. It feels invigorating!
Yes, I think we get so busy that we forget to take time to just relax outdoors. What a good idea to schedule time for it. I hope you do get lots of time at the lake this year. 🙂 Oh, yes, the wind is definitely invigorating before a storm. 🙂 Blessings to you!
I also loved being outside as a child. As a grown up I am blessed to be a preschool teacher. So I get to continue to make snowmen, snow angels, walk through leaves, play with our shadows, dig for treasures, have the wind blow me around. Thank you for your posts, I always enjoy reading them.
You are definitely a “kindred spirit” Mary. What fun to teach preschool! You have so much opportunity to have fun outdoors. I’m so glad you enjoy my posts. Thank you! Blessings to you!
I love to be in nature, Gayle. Already as a child. I loved being raised on a farm, and I even enjoyed milking cows. 🙂 Now my chronic lung disease keeps me inside when it’s cold, but nature photos refresh my heart anytime of the year. Like yours here. 🙂 I like your daughter’s painting, too. It looks like she is creative, like you. Love and blessings to you!
I love how so many of us really enjoy nature. I wanted to live on a farm when I was a child, but that didn’t happen. A few years ago I had a few dairy goats and learned to milk them. That was fun and the milk was delicious. I’m sorry you aren’t able to get out as much as you’d like. Yes, nature photos are often very beautiful, aren’t they? Yes, my daughter is quite talented. 🙂 Thank you for visiting and for your encouragement. Blessings and love! xo