Our House has Gone to Hail

A couple of weeks ago, a massive, sudden storm, with hail stones the size of golf balls, hit southwestern Colorado and our house there was damaged. Yes, the hail stones were actually the size of golf balls.

When the storm hit, people scrambled outside to try to move vehicles, but were injured by the falling ice chunks so they had to go back inside.

People in the community where we lived for the past 19 years had damage to windows, siding, roofs, AC units, cars. Many had their cars totaled. Many have to replace roofs, including us. The insurance adjuster recommends not just replacing the shingles, but actually removing the existing roof and replacing it on our house, barn, and a shed. He also recommends we repaint the house. We lost all the screens on the west side and have dents in the metal doors on that side. The barn has dents in its propanel siding on the west side.

It's truly amazing what damage a hail storm can do. Apparently, this storm suddenly hit and everyone was taken by surprise when the hail started falling. It didn't even last that long.

I think sometimes we humans presume that we are in charge of this earth and we have power over it. That somehow we can influence its destiny. Silly us. It only takes a storm like this, quick as it was, to show us that we are powerless to prevent such a storm. Anyone who's been in such a situation--tornado, hurricane, flood, blizzard--knows we humans become very small.

I'm thankful no one was seriously injured and that homes and vehicles can be repaired. I'm thankful it wasn't much worse. I'm also thankful to know there is a power greater than us. It is God. We may want to fight it. We may want to deny it. But the truth is, He is in charge.

Spring is Here . . . Almost

The other day my kids asked if they could jump on the trampoline (I had to ask them to not shorten that to "jump on the tramp"). Since it was such a beautiful, warm day, I allowed them to go outside and jump even though they hadn't quite finished their chores. Unfortunately, my daughter trusted the weather too much and left her tennis shoes outside overnight. The next morning, her shoes were filled with snow.

The weather has been teasing us. A few days ago we had a couple of warm days filled with lots of sunshine. Then, wham, we woke up to snow and freezing temperatures. We like to say here in Colorado, "If you don't like the weather, just wait a day and it will change." So true.

At this time of year I never know if I should have my kids wear their winter coats or sweatshirts to school.

I love spring. I love to see the leaves beginning to bud on the trees and the grass greening up. I love the warm breezes and smells that float through the air. I can never decide which season I like best, but right now, it's definitely spring!