Storm Éowyn and me
Would the world stop for anything?
Storm Éowyn (yes that’s right, named after J.R.R Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings character who slayed the Witch King) reached the UK this week and red warnings were given to many parts of Scotland.
I watched the news recommendations to stay inside and keep off the roads as the winds were said to hit highs of 90 miles an hour in some areas. Theatres, schools, and supermarkets were sharing on their social medias that they were closing so when I went into work I expected my employers to say they were doing the same.
My employers (a local shop) instead avoided any conversations with us about whether they were going to remain open. Many staff were locals who could walk to work and the general consensus was they’d stay open until there was reason to close.
I found this very frustrating. When I was newer to the job, I remember I drove to work and a storm hit that flooded a lot of major roads. I ended up having to take a few different people home, driving through puddles that came up to the bonnet of the car, wondering how it was I got myself into this situation.
So I told them I wasn’t coming in.
As the storm hit, I felt pretty justified in my decision. It was January, a notoriously quiet time of year for retail after the Christmas rush, and the shop had been so quiet all we were doing was dusting shelves.
Then I got an email saying something I ordered for delivery was out today. Today?! I assumed it would be delayed, but the poor man appeared at my door soaking wet and fighting against the wind.
I felt a surge of guilt and thought there are very few things I would want someone to be out in this storm for and it definitely wasn't the two sports bras he was unknowingly holding.
I felt awful watching him walk back up the steps thinking about how I had stayed at home safe and he hadn’t. Had he had a choice?
It occurred to me that there are very few days in the year when things stop. In the UK it seems we stop at nothing. Nothing will dis-wade us from getting where we need to go, when we need to get there. Pausing, taking a break, feeling a setback, is not an option.
The only day I could think of when things went silent was Christmas Day.
I decided to make today the one chance I had to stay still for as long as I could. In this rest, I was resisting the pressure that I feel to be doing more, more, more. The storm had given me a rare excuse to truly not do anything and be excused for it.
And I relished this privilege.
Who knows when the next time will come?
Christmas, I guess.
How has Storm Éowyn affected you? Stay safe!
