UPI:Rob Hodson
Saturday, August 27th:
As I sit here with no electricity, rain swirling around our home and winds whipping the trees to and fro, I know we will be just fine. There is a peace to all of this. After three days of preparations for hurricane Irene, she stormed into town right on schedule. I had forgotten the furry of a hurricane but I have not forgotten my ability to make it through tough times.
Maybe the past thirteen years with ra has made me stronger. Maybe the constant adjusting to not knowing what one will wake up to in the morning has prepared me well for mother nature's fury. It is all uncertain anymore and adding hurricane Irene to the mix may be a bit more of a challenge but one I know I have been preparing for thirteen years.
I don't miss the electricity (well not yet anyway) as it gives me the chance to hear nature in a tantrum. I have opened my bedroom window to not only let in a cool breeze but to also bring in the sounds of the tail end of Irene. She whooshes through the world like she owns the place (kinda reminds me of ra), stopping everyone in their tracks until she is done. She has thrown branches and debris everywhere but no major damage that I can spy from my safe harbor. It is true I am more confident now that she is leaving town but I pray she is merciful on folks up north.
Northerners tend to want things ready and able and they don't fair well with ladies like Irene. I know, this is how I was before ra. I wanted everything in working order including my own body. Oh well, fate had something different in mind for me.
I have not only survived my ra and Irene as well but I am thriving now. I am stronger, more confident that I can handle the toughest situations and come out with a smile on my face. And even if fear may creep in to take a peek every once in awhile, I have my tool kit ready. A tool kit filled with lots of handy dandy things to help me with not just Irene but my ra.
Yes, I have made it through yet another hurricane (this is my second so far) and I know that I will also make it through the years ahead with my ra. I am stronger, more adaptable and more confident in my ability to continue on.
Farewell Irene. Please be kind and go gently on your way.
