For decades, I guess I have had a home, the "state" of surreality. Having seen on the horizon much of what is starting to happen, I wasn't able to function normally, but since so many people continued to do just that, I knew that I was in (perhaps?) a minority of only a few. Now, the fires in California seem like such an enormous wake-up call, even bigger than COVID, that I just can't believe that in certain respects, American life is simply going on as usual. It feels surreal.
Perhaps I should clarify -- I cannot even imagine the horror of what people are going through -- every facet of this prolonged event, from the apocalyptic nature of the fires themselves, to firefighters risking their lives, to families letting go of possessions, pets, and friends, to the widespread toxicity, to the challenge of moving forward. If and when I experience a major climate event, it will leave me as scarred as others are being traumatized and scarred. But I just think we need to remember that Mother Nature has been deeply traumatized and scarred by us. Her tears have been ongoing for centuries. I imagine She hoped and hoped and hoped we'd finally realize the damage we were doing, but it never happened. So it is Her time now, when She gets to do what She needs to do for the earth's survival.
I'm finding myself -- in the midst of surreality -- continuing to feel immense joy at Her re-emergence. Paradoxically, I finally feel safe. I'm better able to stay in the present than ever, and am clearer and clearer about Her priorities and values moving forward. And as it is Her time, it is my time, and the time for women all over the world to blossom more than they ever have.
