The warnings about Hurricane Sandy were clear. This storm would be powerful and would mimic "the perfect storm". Hurricane Sandy, named just a few days before her landfall arrival, and the other weather events on the east coast combined forces. Hurricane Sandy, aka the Super Storm, lived up to the reputation that preceded her. She became a super storm that dumped plenty of sand and left destruction behind. She huffed and she puffed and she blew many houses down.
Warning systems are important when we choose to live at the water's edge. Here in a densely populated area of the east coast, many of us love to get our feet wet on a regular basis. Living near the vast ocean gives a sense of wide open space. Having lived inland for several years, the need to feel that openness of the ocean is palpable.
But, we have to be wise when we live near the ocean. The ocean can be very beautiful. However, it can be unforgiving when we ignore its power. Watching the waves lap against the shore is amazing. The fact that the ocean most often respects its boundaries is truly a miracle. In cyclonic fashion, the ocean will step out of bounds, but the movement is predictable and we adjust to the moments.
On the rare occasions that the ocean ignores the lines in the sand, we have to be aware. When man tries to control natural boundaries, man learns that we are out of our league. Man draws the lines and nature takes its natural course.
We expect the ocean to respect its boundaries, but the ocean reminds man that we have boundaries to respect also. For days the ocean will roar with its white caps and waves telling us to get ready. The ocean tides come in and out leaving marks along the way. Cities have been destroyed and forgotten in history when the ocean's power was forgotten.
Hurricane Sandy reminded us once again of our boundaries. We can live at the water's edge, but not without danger. Will we learn our boundaries from the lessons of Sandy? We now know that we are not immune to the destruction that other ocean side communities throughout the east coast have experienced.
Do we dig deep on solid ground or continue to build our lives on sand that shifts with each wave?
Luke 6: 46-49 "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you?" Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like. He is like a man building a house, who dug deep, and laid the foundation upon rock; and when the flood arose, the stream broke against the house, and could not shake it because it had been well built. But he who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; against which the stream broke and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."
Hurricane Sandy is a physical manifestation of Luke's writing. Each individual needs to build a strong foundation. We know storms come and go and boundaries get crossed. We have to remember, especially while living at the waters edge, "like sand in the hour glass, so are the days of our lives."
We need to respect the wisdom of nature to cut our losses.
Marian R. Carlino
November 15, 2012
