The weather will do as it will, whether we like it or not. In Melbourne we have become used to expecting a wide range of events, even within one day, but we are fortunate that the very wildest extremes are seldom seriously harmful where I live, close by to the city centre.

After a recent deluge, I couldn’t help but think of the analogy to our lives – how unexpected events occur without warning, as well as other ‘personal storms’ of various magnitudes which recur irregularly but, whether we are thinking atmospheric or personal disruptions, we usually find ways to weather the storms!

The solutions to life’s vagaries can be elusive, and there’s usually more than one way to stay dry and safe and see the blue sky again. The frequency and duration of our personal storms is different and most of us  get through with just an umbrella at the ready; others will need the full kit: gumshoes, waterproof clothing and somewhere safe to go. But, often a refuge is hard to find when there are other complexities – like being on a muddy, unmade, rutted road.

The climate is almost akin to our life journey. Sunny one minute, wet and windy the next. Blue skies, no storm in sight, enjoying the day, together with a loved one, and BAM! A thunderstorm catches you off-guard. Suddenly no sun, and sickness and sorrow suddenly surround you. Our hearts overflow with grief and we face an uncertain forecast. Sometimes we just can’t dodge the downpour, and our mind is flooded with brutal facts as we flounder and fuss and fidget, soaked in sorrow for our partner and for ourselves.

In such a turmoil some, like me, can find support and strength from family and friends and specialised agencies, but also from a belief in a healing, saving God. Somehow, we will find a helping hand and sometimes medical aid, and the storm abates a little, a tiny ray of sunshine pierces our gloom! What at first seemed to be a never-ending winter becomes broken into with flashes of colour, revealing the silver lining and giving us periods of calmness we thought had been banished forever. Hope and prayer and determination give us strength to survive and the will to look for the sunshine. Yes, life’s like that.

As I write this, the hail, which was hurling its icy pellets on my windows a few minutes ago, has stopped. The wind has abated, the clouds went off to hassle someone else, the sun is breaking through and my spirits are lifting. Not unlike experiencing life’s seasons which can also help us appreciate and equip ourselves to cope with the changing stages of our life. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can have the same highs and lows as the climate spectrum and the carer needs to equip themselves – to help both partners navigate that journey and cope with the unpredictable storms.

So, we all need to recognise how our lives are constantly changing, like the weather, as we travel in our own personal climate zones, whether we like it or not. Somehow, we learn to adapt our lifestyle to remain as a firm and useful companion to our partner and family, and to maintain our friendships. Even when we are caught in an unexpected storm…..