For basic safety reasons, we had to replace our hard-surface floors.  The expert we called in thought the original laminate must have been improperly installed.  He was right.  But it was worse than that: there were ridges at every join of the plywood sub-floor that had to be sanded down.  There was fine dust EVERYWHERE before they were done.

The good news:  the floors are finished, the furniture is back in place, and over half the books are back in bookcases.

But I’m still waiting for all the dust to settle.

It’s made me think about disruption and displacement in a larger sense.  Even when the worst of it is over, there’s still dust to deal with.  For good or for ill, there are little reminders of what has happened.

Dealing with actual, physical dust is one thing.

Metaphorical dust is another matter.

Floating in the air
haze of uncertainty
cloud of confusion
concealment of potential.

Settling on surfaces
sweet reminders of blessing
pointed memories of pain
unveiling of opportunities.

As whatever dust settles in your life, may you discover the opportunities.