I mean it in the literal sense: Thunder, Lightening, Wind, Rain… tornadoes.
I admit it: I’m afraid of storms. Well, I’m afraid of the bad ones, anyway. Is there such a thing as a storm that isn’t violent? Yes and no. After all, “storm” is another word for “violence” or “commotion.” There are the occasional storms that have thunder and lightening, but they aren’t the titanic clashers of radar red.
My fears are reinforced by news reports of devastating tornadoes and floods. This morning, we heard about the Boy Scout camp that got demolished. Maybe these words are overused. “Devastating” is used for tragedy. “Tragedy” is used for devastation. With the constant presence of these words in the media, it’s amazing that they retain their meaning. Or do they?
The war in Iraq is devastating. The tsunami in December 2004 was a massive tragedy. Isn’t it tragic that millions of borrowers may lose their homes to the various and sundry banking corporations? Tragedy, devastation, tragic, devastating, how-sad, awful, bleak… Every day, every news channel.
It comes down to fear. Am I truly afraid of the storms, or am I afraid that I’ll be the statistical name read on the national news, along with my husband and children, of the latest victims of Nature’s Fury? Maybe it’s as simple as this: I don’t want to lose the people I love or the stuff I have. I don’t want to get hurt. I don’t want to die. Death is inescapable, largely unpredictable. It is final. Maybe.
It’s easier to just blame it on the storm.
