It began with preparations, ice, water, food, gasoline and thinking you had done all you could to get ready. . . only to discover "getting ready" is not truly possible.
Suddenly, in the dark of night, the power is the first thing to go; the raining is falling; the wind is whipping; the house is shaking. Windows break, old, beautiful oak trees are flying through the air, water is rising and there is absolutely nothing you can do but wait. Wait for the rain to stop, the wind to settle and the trees to land. And, eventually, an eerie silence in the city, the darkest night imaginable.
This storm has created an amazing sense of community in my neighborhood. Anyone that managed to get ice or water, would share and any bar-b-q pit that was burning was open to all to grill whatever they needed. When finally a restaurant opened close by, 18 of us piled in our cars and headed out for Margaritas and Mexican food. There were only 2 people at that table that I knew BEFORE the storm, it was an amazing dinner that I will never forget. This storm has changed the landscape of my city and other cities near by. I pray for all that lost their homes, their possessions and their loved ones. But, I also Thank God for all the hearts that I've watched open to a stranger, whether living next door or just passing by. My heart has been changed in more ways then I can count. Watching myself and others respond in ways that are what life is truly all about. I'm a very private, solitary person by nature, because of where my house sits, it's become the gathering place for my street, constant people in and out. We still don't have electricity, but that doesn't stop the coffee pot. This morning I walked out of my front door at about 6:00 am to discover 6 people sitting in my yard waiting for that coffee pot to do it's job. The activity and constant traffic have been a struggle for this lone soldier but, it's also been a very large gift. So, as long as necessary, I'll make that coffee and welcome the neighbors in. I actually hope that when the lights come back on and we can all shut our doors and windows again that the open hearts and sense of community will survive. That's a big change coming from one that finds great pleasure in living like a shut in!!!
Oh, yea, about those roses . . . the storm blew beautiful bouquets of roses into my home, dozens of white roses, salmon roses, lavender roses, my house is full of beautiful blossoms . . . open your doors, you never know what might come blowing in! He, He!
