May 12, 2006
Showtime
CP was observing from the library end of our kitchen when the storm had its way with the truly monstrous, ancient, and tired old oak tree (Quercus shumardii) in our neighbor’s yard. The “branch” that came tearing off was two feet in diameter. The gaping scar it left on its parent trunk as it fell is five feet long and two feet wide. It spanned some eighty feet, topping out with enough force to do $1800 damage to our two old Hondas.
The insurance company, the folk with the red umbrella, said it was showtime, that it was an act of God. Not many people get to observe an act of God firsthand, Moses, maybe, and a few others. CP could be hard to live with after this. When she regains her composure (aka control over her nervous system), we’ll see.
Fifty-two years in these orders, and I’ve never seen an act of God that I was anything more than just suspicious about, but then, maybe I’m never in the right place at the right time. All I know now, with no thanks to seminary or episcopal gatekeepers or fellow presbyters, but only to the insurance agent, is that God has acted. I’ve got a busted red umbrella to show for it. Take care. The next appraiser you meet may also be a theologian.