FLAP!
A humorous picture book
written and illustrated by
Alison Hertz
Coming Summer 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
A Lion in the Storm
The rain began
slowly at first, falling gently in the morning.
I carried you both on our journey home. I held you close, as close as
possible, and kept you dry. I let you
know how much I loved you and promised that I would keep you safe. As the day progressed, the rain got heavier
and everything changed. The wind blew
stronger and stronger until it became difficult to carry you but I would not
let you down. She thought she was ready to
go or maybe it was something else compelling her to go but it wasn’t my idea. I could see our blurry house in the distance but
the storm was too heavy to get there. I
ran into the nearest building. We
huddled to stay warm. The wind whistled
as the storm shook the walls and the door opened, just a little at first, but
continued to swing wider as the rain and wind steadily increased. Holding on to you as tightly as I could, I
tried to force the door closed but the wind picked up. It forced the door open
and slammed me against the wall. The air
swelled into a hurricane and its pull ripped us apart. I lost control of keeping you safe. I was forced to let go. The winds carried her, my baby girl, through
the doorway. I grabbed for her but she
was swept too quickly out of reach. We
had to let her go but you weren’t ready.
You wrapped yourself around me. I
begged Mother Nature to let you stay.
You held on but the grip of the wind was too tight. It wrapped us like a tornado, twisting,
turning, and separating us. It refused to let you go. The torrential downpour whipped across my
face as it tore you from me. I wasn’t
ready. You were too small to survive alone,
but you found her, your sister, and stayed together. You both struggled to live without me. When the weather calmed, I found you battered
and bruised. I sat beside you both and
held your hands. I looked into your eyes
and spoke softly. Your sister left us first but you continued to hang on. Then you left us. It was too soon. You left me too soon. Our dreams were shattered. That day is here again and I can’t shake the
memory of the storm, of losing you both, my babies. I remember the few moments
that we had when I was able to look into your eyes and hold your tiny hands. A lion in the storm. Soo strong.
In my arms for just a moment but
in my heart forever.
If you have ever lost a lion in the storm. I am very sorry for your loss.
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