Do we ever forget how dependent we are on electonics today? This morning I’ve found that we must be dependent on elewcronic pagers in the outpatient surgery pavillion. The very nice receptionist at the welcom desk told me they were out of pagers today. There could be some more items that they could be out of… like scalpels, pain medication or band aids, but now they are out of that lifeline to our Doctor and the hnicians careing for our loved ones. Actually I like no pagers. This means that the receptionist will walk out and find me and tell me face to face about the progress of the surgery on Ruby. A much nicer and much more personal approach.

Today is an ominous day. A day of waiting for the hurricane to come ashore and tear its twirling terror away from it’s source of strength, the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The storm now is packing winds of 145mph as it is attacking the Ft. Walton Beach area of Florida. Even at several hundred miles away we are experiencing the far reaching tentacles of the most dangerous part of the storm. The hazard is not the powerful winds nor the destructive storm surge of water topping beach sand dunes, it’s the heavy rains that we fear here in western North Carolina.

The rains bring flooding not just to the low lying tidal areas near the coasts of our states but with all the hills and mountains in the west a quick shower of rain in a flat area can turn into a raging torrent of water sweeping people, trees, cars and houses on its way to the the bottom of the hill, drowning all in the abyss of destruction.

The rain here is picking up now. No longer gentle, I’m wondering what may be in store for us today.

The most beautiful, dramatic and hopeful parts of the day.

Yes that’s not today’s sunrise and the sunset has not yet taken place for this location in the Eastern Time Zone. This is a picture I made of a sunset a few months ago.

Sunsets and sunrises are the most hopeful times of the day. Whether it’s a sunrise or a sunset, I am reminded that He put it all in motion to paint a beautiful picture on the most beautiful and limitless canvas each day — actually two times each day.

Sunrises are of course a welcome to a new day, another chance, a fresh break in your routine and a change, maybe even a radical one from all those mistakes and misbehaviors in your past and the rumination of them that pollute your mind.

This morning I was thrilled with the brilliant orange ball floating just above the horizon sending us unlimited energy and warmth. An abundance that sustains us and allows enjoy this wonderful world.

I’m very thankful for all that I have.