It's been a crazy few weeks:
Los Angeles and the Pacific West coast are on fire.
Houston was ravaged by hurricane Harvey a few weeks ago.
Irma was a nasty and unpredictable Cat 5, then Cat 4, then Cat 2 storm.
She took up the entire state of Florida. Irma couldn't decide where she was going to land.
When we left, it was predicted that she would head up the East Coast (hitting South
Florida and Vero Beach).
Listening to all the meteorologists was like listening to Nate Silver talking about the election; probabilities makes for interesting reality TV.
However, they were off enough to make a difference for many unprepared on the West Coast.
A historical 6 million people evacuated Florida the week of September 5th (there are only two or three ways out of Florida).
I-75 and I-95 were at a standstill for hours. A baby was born in traffic. Vehicles were stalled on the side of the road because they ran out of gas. The best in others came out; so did the worst. Irma arrived on Florida's coast September 10th.
I felt guilty knowing many of my friends were staying behind.
Weather
makes us all humble. I'm reflecting on a few things:
1)
I don't live in the moment as much as I think I do. I have WAY more fear and
future thinking going on. I had anxiety before we left Florida. I was like a
coked-out Camp Director trying to prepare our house, our dog, and our journey
out of the state (maybe for the last time?). Rich was calm but down played the
possible 'what if's'. This pissed me off; I felt like I had to do all the
mental work of worrying and planning. The least he could do was worry with me,
right? It was an ugly 24 hours. I only had 3 hours of sleep before we left.
Once we were on the road, I was fine.
2) If
you live in a place that rains, you also live in a place that will flood.
Hurricanes will happen if
you’re near the ocean. A few people tease us, or ask why we live in Florida? One
answer: It's Paradise 51 weeks out of the year. We may have to go through this
exodus again (maybe every year because of climate change). Some will stay.
Once, I sat on a plane ride with the Chief of Fire and Rescue of Miami. We
talked about hurricanes. She told me if a Cat 3 or above is heading towards
Florida, "Leave. Get out early. Don't look back." If it's a Cat 1 or
2 we'll probably ride it out with friends. We've decided we'll go (as long as
it's possible and within our means). We are blessed. Family and friends have
offered sanctuary out of state. Plus, it gives us a great opportunity to go home
to IL or visit people we miss.
3)
I'm a wuss. I don't say that to judge myself harshly. It's an honest fact. I
got out of Dodge early because of traffic and supplies running out. I never
want to live in a shelter with others. I'd rather live in a hotel or my car-too
many people overwhelm me. I had the luxury of leaving because, thankfully, Rich
had training in Ohio and Delaware. That humbles me too.
4)
I appreciate distractions: My dog. Facebook. Instagram. The news. Music on a
long trip to Ohio. It's amazing how long I'm able to distract myself when the
stress meter is off the charts. I noticed my entire mid-back was locked up. I
had to do yoga to unwind and relax every day-even in the hotels. I also
apologize for the ridiculous amount of videos and photos I posted of Buddha.
His ability to sleep for 9 hours a day in a car was calming. Plus he's cute.
5)
Back to that living in the moment thing. I get why the Buddha and Jesus talk
about 'take no thought for tomorrow', or 'suffering comes from our thoughts.'
I've noticed that I'd really like to do a better job of present moment living;
in fact, I crave it. I'll have to slow things down (my brain) be more disciplined
or mindful to take captive these stressful thoughts. I often wonder what it would
FEEL like to be truly in the moment for a WHOLE day--like children or puppies.
6) I'm
surprised how much I can live without. I was ruthless in what I left behind and
what I took with me:
1
medium suitcase of clothes
1 thick yoga mat (not even my favorite mat)
1 bin of keepsake gifts (most from Kevin or my grandmother)
2
framed pictures: A colorful cross that Kevin made in Kindergarten and a Chagall
that was my grandmother's.
2
bins filled with photos (I didn't have time to scan them). Actually, I never
realized I should until this last hurricane. These are like my Crown Jewels of
England.
This
is a lot of stuff to take compared to others in hurricanes. If I lost
everything and never went back to my house, I'd be okay with that. I'm grateful
I get to go back. So many are rebuilding; they are brave souls. What made it
easy to let go (even mentally)? I think it's because of seeing so many (in Houston or the Caribbean) lose it all. Why not me too? As long as we live
in Florida, it will happen again. Next time I hope to leave with just 1
suitcase and 1 bin of keepsakes. The dog and husband can come along too.
