Ice Storm Memories Bring Laughter . . . Now!

Do you remember the ice storm of 2009? I do.

It swept into my life with little fanfare in the early morning hours that January.

My husband, Steve, and I were asleep in our second-story bedroom when we were awakened by the sound of heavy sleet. As we lay there and listened, the sleet intensified; and then suddenly there was a boom as a transformer on our block exploded.

That was an uh-oh moment. We knew that our lives were going to get very, very difficult; we just didn't know how long it would last or how difficult it would be.

Later that morning we re-awoke to chilly temperatures in our home, and because there was no power there were no creature comforts. No hot water, no TV, no computer.

We weren't alone. The ice storm knocked out power lines all over southern Indiana, and the power company warned that it would be days until service could be restored in many areas.

My husband seemed completely undeterred by this change of lifestyle. Me? Pretty deterred.

And so our new daily pattern emerged.

We huddled by the fireplace in the evenings. That first night we talked about our pioneer president, Abraham Lincoln.

Waking up to bitter cold temperatures in our house, we would quickly dress, and then head outside to the car. I still remember those early mornings, sitting in the car warming my hands by the heater. I thought of all the other people doing the same thing, some for just that day, and others who struggle with the elements on a daily basis.

We would drive to a nearby restaurant and purchase piping hot cups of coffee, and then our work days would begin.

After three or four days, my daughter was able to find a motel room for us and our two dogs, and it was heaven! Heat! Hot baths! TV!

By the sixth day, there was still no power on our block. We were going back and forth between our house and the motel when I noticed that my body had changed. That last night when we were still without power, I stood in our cold dark house, and then walked outside and watched the utility company workers. I was comfortable in both places because my body had become so accustomed to the cold.

I remember the happy – gleeful, almost joyful – moment when the power came back on! Hot water! TV! Computer!

It's been five years almost to the day since the ice storm put us on a simpler path. At first, when I thought about those days, I shuddered at the memory. But now I realize it has become a wonderful and tender memory.

It's a memory of the two of us dealing with difficulties, handling the elements in ways I never knew was possible.

Is that what God offers us after difficult times? In His love and kindness, does He give us laughter and joy?

Think of the Gospel stories. Barren Elizabeth longing for a child. The 5,000 hungry people waiting to be fed. The leper who was made clean.

Think of the laughter that followed each difficulty. The joy Elizabeth must have had raising her son, John. The 5,000 who were given loaves and fish to enjoy, who then must have told and retold of their experiences with Jesus that day. The leper who was cautioned to be silent, but who spread the news of his miraculous cure to everyone he met.

And think of a couple in southern Indiana, who lived through the hardships brought on by the ice storm of 2009, who now laugh about it.