Passing Storm

“I had a little rough patch for a while.” - Crystal Shelley

Passing Storm

The view across the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, out of the Union Heights Office Tower windows was changing constantly.

“I can hardly see downtown!”  Heather said as she looked out from her seat at the conference table.

Heather Bollinger, Crystal Shelley and I looked out to see dark clouds with an underlying skirt of mist rolling through the valley as our meeting progressed.  And soon, we could see small drops of rain water begin to randomly mark the large glass windowpanes in front of us.  We watched as clouds rolled through the valley and alternating streams of sunshine created highlights as if guiding our eyes to drink in streams of hope.  It was as if we were seated in life’s classroom on a Friday afternoon, during a dynamic display of nature.

And, we took note of nature’s majesty on the outside side of the tower’s windows.  Yet, when my gaze left the streaks of clouds, mist and sunshine through the windows it was drawn to Crystal’s bright smile.  It held my eyes and captured my breath, right up to the end of our work together, before I stepped out of the conference room.

After a few, meager steps out of the room, I hesitated, and then retraced my path back into the room where Crystal was tidying up.

“I’m so glad you’ve found your smile again!  I said.

“Thanks!” She beamed back.  “I had a little rough patch for a while.”

“It’s so beautiful and I just wanted you to know I’m happy for you!”  I finished, before walking back through the reception area to go to other, late afternoon and evening appointments on the outside.

By the time I entered my car and began to drive west on the 215 Freeway, there was no streaming light at all.  The sun’s smile had been completely blotted out!  There were no small drops of water randomly marking the windshield directly in front of me.  I was driving in a torrent!  A torrent that slowed traffic to a slow crawl, through what I can only describe as the 215 Ribbon of River.

I motored carefully through the water west and then south through the teeth of the storm.  Then, the rain and wind abruptly stopped and the freeway was again a dryer, Ribbon of Concrete.  The front of the storm had passed and the view of the Valley of the Great Salt Lake had changed again.

I looked in my rearview mirror to see dark clouds with an underlying skirt of rain rolling on through the valley behind me.  I looked forward, through my windshield, and saw streams of sunshine glistening.

“It’s just like Crystal’s Smile!”  I whispered to myself in awe.

I continued to drive toward my destination, drawn toward the brightness of nature’s smile as its beauty held my eyes and captured my breath right up to the end of my journey.  Yes, I had hit a little rough patch, and I was fortunate to have had my day brightened by streaking sunshine and Crystal’s found again, brilliant smile.