Storm Z

Molly writes...

Martha, Jane and I recently ventured down to Boone, North Carolina to the Art of Living Retreat Center to teach Zentangle to a group of enthusiastic artists. The campus sits proudly on the top of a mountain. A massive temple-like structure amongst other smaller buildings overlooking the most beautiful vistas that seem to go for hundreds of miles. But there were no vistas upon arrival this time. The weather was thick with fog as we navigated our way there, heavy rains on the horizon due to the hurricane predicted to hit Florida and Georgia. On Thursday afternoon our attendees began arriving. The weather was starting to feel uncertain. Our first session gathered at 7:30pm on Thursday evening. We all piled into a massive, temple-like structure that would serve as our classroom for the next 4 days. A concrete building, fit for over 3,000 people. Our huddled group of 51 people were clustered in the middle. It was a passionate group of tanglers that made the journey up the mountain that day, all of us still thinking these was just heavy rains and the aftermath of someone else’s storm. Soaked already, our attendees did their best to shake off the excess rain drops and some of the stress from a treacherous day of travel. Our nerves slowly settled, and we tangled. Our first session was wonderful, albeit a bit damp. Tired and calmed, we all went on to bed.

However, I don’t think many of us slept too well that night. Forecasts had changed and the storm was heading our way. The winds started coming and the rain was no longer drops but more like sideways sheets of water. It was a grand event in the works and mother nature was singing loudly. By morning we realized our day would be different than expected. The three of us laughed to ourselves as we initially planned a sunrise hike that morning only to learn that the sun appeared to take a break from rising on this day. We safely caught the shuttle to the dining hall as did the other attendees. A strong monolithic building that felt securely anchored to earth. A beautiful warm breakfast was served simultaneously with the alarming emergency notifications bellowing from everyone’s phones, warning us to shelter in place. No other messages coming through, all cellular services were out, internet was out. And not long after that power was out too. Every tangler approached us with a smile that morning. They grouped together. A few of them had supplies with them and they shared with others. Everyone remained calm and they tangled. We had to take this day one stroke at a time. We had no outside contact. All we knew was what was happening outside our windows. We were in a safe place with food and water. The staff at AOLRC rallied and made a delicious lunch for all as the eye of the storm passed over us. A few hours later the winds and rain subsided just enough for Martha, Jane and I to brave the storm and sneak over to our classroom and grab some supplies and see how the classroom had fared during the storm. A few leaks and still no power, but day light and hope filled the room. We grabbed microns and tiles from the room and journeyed back to the dining hall. We brought all of attendees together, and led a voice guided mediation class. We were not sure how it would work, we had only daylight and no microphones among the sounds of the filled dining hall. It did work though, our attendees put off an energy of trust, silence and gratitude. We tangled for almost an hour in a cafeteria while the hurricane winds passed.

By late afternoon the worst was over, and attendees were eager to get back in the classroom. Still no power, no phones, and no internet. We paraded across the campus to the temple where we held class. Debris everywhere but for the most part the campus fared as well as did we, it would not be until later that we would learn what happened at the bottom of the mountain and surrounding areas.

Behind the scenes Martha, Jane and I were restructuring our lesson and teaching plan. We rallied, borrowed an easel and pad of paper and attempted to project our voices in the massive hall. We knew that getting the group tangling to pass the time was what we needed to do. Our students were amazing. They worked with us, and we taught in unexpected ways. We got messy with ink and we took of our shoes. Though there was uncertainty, remaining calm and passing the time was our only option. Right before sundown the power came back on, and we held a special evening class that night. The next day the sun did rise and greeted us with its brightness. You could once again see for miles.

Still without phone or internet, we started to get word about road closures, flooding and destruction in nearby Boone. Hard to manage to emotions of feeling fortunate and safe but also deep empathy for those so nearby that were not. The recommendation was to stay on the campus for the rest of the weekend, rushing out was not advised, as roads were still closed, and emergency workers were doing their best to make areas passable. Our mission was to be with our group and take account of what they were wanting and needing. Again, we needed to take it all one stroke at a time. It was clear tangling was yet again the best option as we passed the time. And that is what we did. We tangled all day and the following morning too. I cannot say enough how warm and loving this group was. They were patient and understanding with us and the situation and they too took things one stroke at a time. The artwork created was amazing and we all learned so much from the work and each other. The weekend was an adventure none of us expected. Our attendees clearly navigated the days of unknowns in a Zentangle way. It was not ideal but there were moments that were inspiring and beautiful. We looked at each moment and each situation and worked with what we had at hand. I know for us; we were so grateful for our students. It will most certainly be an experience we will never forget. Our hearts go out to all affected by Helene and all the other storms making landfall in the United States this Fall.

Thank you to my Hurricane Helene Zentangle family!

Elaine, Michael, Helen, Donna Lynne, Nina, Sue, Ann, Marie, Audra, Carol, Ann, Lea, Jo, Beth, Veta, Sue, Mary , Suzanne, Carol, Robbin, Chelsea, Gretchen, Florence, Jane, Jo-Ellen, Cara, Heather, Pam, Carol, Rondy, Katie, Brenda, Lauren, Bette, Connie, Mathias, Delisa, Diana, Valentine, Jacki, Jeanette, Betsy, Elizabeth, Mary, Sonja, Jan, Maria, Lynn