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Shuttered Prayers
By Frederick Corrigan
New England, in the dog days of August, is the site and time of this tale. Grandpa was in the barn tending to the animals, knowing that evening was setting in and it was starting to get dark. He didn’t realize that the darkness was occurring faster than usual, as he was intent on his duties. When he came to a window and looked off to the west, he realized that the darkness was being caused by the rapidly approaching thunder storm. He knew what his next action must be, because he had done it many times before. Gramps headed toward the house, just as the sky opened up with a deluge of rain, then a large flash of lightning and seconds later, a tremendous BOOM of thunder. He was running now and upon reaching the south side of the house, he closed the window shutters. He raced around to the north side, and as he was closing the window shutters, he heard my grandmother scream. Gramps ran through the woodshed and in the back door of the kitchen. There, lying on the kitchen floor was his 10 year old son who had been resting on a metal framed cot in the kitchen. As the tale goes, the thunder storm started to darken the skies, then the flash of lightning, that grandpa saw, actually went through the open south window of the kitchen and out through the north window, just before grandpa closed the shutters. The ball of fire that went through the kitchen actually knocked my uncle off the cot onto the floor. Fortunately, the only damage was shock and bewilderment. My grandmother told me this story when I was visiting them at least 25 years after the incident. I questioned her when she took her Rosary, sat on the feather bed in the first floor bedroom, while grandpa was outside closing the window shutters as a thunder storm was approaching. According to my grandmother, sitting on the featherbed would keep you from being hit by lightning. She said that she prayed with her Rosary to keep everyone else safe. Today most homes with shutters don’t use them to protect the window glass from the wind and flying branches. Allegedly, closing the shutters would stop the air flow and thereby keep the lightning from entering the home. The Rosary is still used to pray, by many of the faithful.
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Contributor's Note
Grandparents can make lasting impressions. This tale is over 65 years old.
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Window Shutters
storm shutters
Approaching Storm
PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
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Great read. I can imagine how scary that must have been at the time. A few years ago, lightning hit the water directly behind my kayak. I am still shaking.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
I'm certain that my grandparents and my uncle never forgot the fear.
Thanks for your comments, June.
Best, always.
Frederick
A very interesting and well written story. I love reading and hearing of the activities of generations gone by. Wynn Currie
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks for visiting and for your kind comments, Wynn.
Best to you.
Frederick
An uplifting memory. Thanks.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks, Nora.
This article writing has given the opportunity to relive many memories.
Glad you enjoyed.
Frederick
Another great Intel. Looking forward to the next story.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Your comments are appreciated, Keith.
Thank you for the support.
Frederick
Thanks Frederick, I hope I have made a similar impression on my Grandchildren and taught them some valuable lessons.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thank you for your visit and your kind comments, Adrian.
Best to you.
Frederick
Thx for this post, prayer can be done in many different ways
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks for the comments, Grant.
Best wishes.
Frederick
Nice little story there Frederick. Fortunately, I have not had an experience with lightening to date. Was it the praying on the rosary that helped? Could be -- It was a selfless prayer.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
You'd never convience my grandmother that it wasn't, Jim.
Thanks for your kind comments.
Best to you.
Frederick
Stories like this make you think back about how you felt when you were a child. The world looks so very different from a childs eyes. Great intel
Ruth
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thank you for visiting and for your comments, Ruth.
The child's world should be happy and then comes responsibility.
Best wishes.
Frederick
Well told, Frederick. Sounded like one of those famous, round-the-campfire stories.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks for the kind comments, Louie.
I don't know if it's famous, but I've been having a great time writing intels.
Best to you.
Frederick
I had no idea lightning could come through windows. We get a LOT of lightning where we live. I realize this intel was added in conjunction with Prayer Week, but for me this one has scientific benefits, too. Thank you Mr Corrigan.
 | | nick Jan 21, 2010 08:02 | |
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks for your comments, Nick.
I don't know if it's scientific, but I recall my elders telling us children to stay away from the windows and doors during thunderstorms.
Best to you.
Frederick
While reading your story I suddenly sensed myself in the fairyland- somewhere in between the ages, where wisdom and love inhabit the landscape and fill the hearts of each passerby.
I am so glad to come to your site. Your story was like a sip of fresh air to me. The whole world was visualizer in between the lines of your Intel. I bow to your so eloquent pen. Thank you
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
I appreciate your kind words, Tomas. Thank you for taking the time to visit and I'm glad that you enjoyed my intel.
Best to you.
Frederick
The copyright for this content entitled "Shuttered Prayers" has been specified by the contributor as:
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