I find in myself, once again, such a wonder at the marvels of nature. I was awakened in the middle of the night last night to the most spectacular lightning. It filled my bedroom with daylight flashes that were followed, after a hesitation of a good 20 seconds, by thunder that had the windows rattling and the cats either under the bed or clinging to my comforter covered form.
I had to leave my bed to open a door and stand outside for a while until I felt the pattern of light and sound inside my soul.
Reluctantly, I returned to my bed after opening the curtains and ensuring that the windows were wide open as well. I drifted off feeling alive and well.

It reminded me of a time when the children were much younger and we were camping in a beautiful meadow in the foothills. Meg and Seb had a new tent of their own; Thom and I were just settling in when a phenomenal bout of lightning and thunder raced through the valley. Thomas always found the best campsites and we were alone in this spectacular place, surrounded by high hills with a lovely stream, just right for young children, running down the middle. The lightning was "Zorro" lightning, touching the ground in many places and unaccompanied by any real measurable rain. We saw it hit a tree on the other side of the valley beyond the stream. The tree cracked and the top fell off leaving a plume of smoke rising into the air! This was also open range and we had seem a large herd of cows meandering the valley during the day. My fear was that they would stampede and run right over our tents in their hysteria. I was worried that my darlings would be frightened or trampled but Thomas was the voice of reason and stopped me from racing to them.
He was worried about any "lightening rods" we might have inadvertently placed near the tents. The cooler was the only thing that came to mind so he ducked out to move it. I have a clear vision (that I often revisit with an inner smile) of him, butt naked as this is how he slept, but with a long ponytail and full beard, illuminated by a quick succession of lightning flashes, moving the cooler further from our tents. He looked like a gigantic elf who was keeping us safe and out of harm's way.
In the morning, the children were unaware that the night had been so eventful. They had played so hard the day before that they slept through the whole thing!
Maybe it is that re-awakened perspective that you have when nature shows its strength that moves me so.