What made us

The erosive forces of the wind and sea transform the coastal landscapes of the earth; jagged pieces of rock break off; pointy edges are torn away. Weathered stones hit by the waves gradually morph, becoming smoother and rounder. From a distance, the towering cliffs still exude the solidity and strength of the earth, yet something new has emerged. Upon closer inspection, a softness can be felt. Perhaps it is more of a sensation than a visible reality. But it appears to be the inexplicable touch of grace left behind by the gale.

The same, one could say, happens with the tempests in our lives. They rinse us clean, shatter us open, bring down walls and defenses. After the storm, nothing can be like it was. And yet, again and again, the signature of a benevolent hand is perceived: somehow as the heart is softened, harshness erodes. When the calm finally returns, we are moulded into something sweeter than we had known.