A series of terrible storms passed through Chicago in June and a very serious one left nearly a quarter of a million people without electricity. My roommates and I were some of those people.
One the first night of the blackout, I was home alone. I lit some candles, prayed Lectio Divina style, practiced some yoga, spoke to two close friends on the phone to catch up and eventually fell asleep listening to the rain in a cozy camp chair on my balcony.
On the second night of the blackout, I was home with two roommates and we stayed up talking and playing a board game by candle light. It was very relaxed and intimate.
On the third night of the blackout, I again spent time with my roommates. By this time the apartment had gotten so hot that I fell asleep laying on our hardwood floors because they were cooler than my bed and our couches.... it was fantastic.
The refrigerator couldn’t humm... the fans couldn’t buzz... the doorbell couldn’t ring and slowly, the laptop batteries died.... the phone batteries died.... the flashlight batteries died... it was a very peaceful series of evenings.
I don’t knock technology. As an IT professional, I understand the many wonderful things that technology can do. But regardless... it was nice to get away.
Next week I am going to get away one more time. I will be visiting my brothers in the Norbertine Community of Santa Maria de la Vid Priory in Albequrque, New Mexico. I will make sure to take lots of pictures and post them here for you.
I hope you can get away too... even if that just means turning off the computer and shutting off the lights. Peace!
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