Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Hurricane Irma has come and gone. Destroyed Islands in its path and terrorized the wits of Miami's residences. I feel conflicted over being saddened by Irma's destruction and relieved by dodging the eye of the storm. My heart aches for the citizens of Barbuda, St. Martin or any Caribbean island affected by the storm. I pray that all my friends are doing well and getting back to a state of normalcy after the storm.
Since I lived through Hurricane Andrew, and since I OVER analyze situations, I told my husband there was a ghost of a chance that I would weather through another hurricane, especially a category 4 or 5. Stricken with fear and probably overreacting a bit, we cleared out our yard, locked our doors and were on US 27 heading north to our Family's house in GA, faster than you can say FAST. Yep, I'm the biggest scary cat that walks this earth. I hated leaving my friends and family behind but when I heard 185 mile winds, I was like, get me outta here. Trust me when I tell you, I tried convincing my MOM to evacuate and run off with me but she wasn't having it. She is the "stubbornest" person I know, besides me, of course. I thought about drugging her and dragging her to GA with me. That's illegal, right?
For days we glued ourselves to the TV screen, tracking the ginormous storm and cautiously listening to the latest advisory from multiple meteorologists (including my sister Liz, who miraculously happen to gain a degree in Meteorology over night). My in-laws and I watched "IRMAGEDDON" vaporize Barbuda and other Islands on her Path, which seriously and utterly freaked me out. I kept hearing meteorologist say "the biggest storm ever recorded in the Atlantic." I couldn't help but wonder about my friends and family who owned second homes in the Keys, especially Marathon and Big Pine Key. I sat there anticipating Irma's approach to my Hometown and as a result, I binged ate and drank wine while my MIL made homemade pecan pies and meals to feed a village. So thank you, Irma and my MIL for the extra 5 lbs I gained during this whole ordeal. Now, I understand why some say that you overeat when you are nervous.
Once the news broke out about Miami being relieved from a bullseye hit, I felt comforted knowing that my peeps back home were somewhat safe. Friends and family lost electricity and thankfully no one was hurt (Thank you, JESUS!). I felt a little embarrassed to tell my friends and fam I had electricity until we got the news that GA would be affected by Irma as well. Sorry MIL and FIL for you saw the wrath of your husband's wife. Yep, I drove them crazy. I wanted to run as far west as possible, preferably Napa Valley. Sometimes I do dream a little, okay, I dream a lot. Ultimately, we hunkered down and rode the storm and prayed that 1) a tornado would NOT spiral me to walk a yellow brick road to meet some fake Wizard in a place called Oz (although, I wouldn't mind red Jimmy Choo glittery pumps) or 2) one of the million oak trees surrounding our GA house wouldn't flatten us like pancakes. Thankfully, we only lost electricity for 24 hours. Sadly, my over reaction to run like the wind has my in-laws questioning if I should seek psychiatric help (HA- Fat chance!).
My trip home was a very bittersweet return. Leaving GA and my in-laws and its 60-degree weather sucked, but I couldn't help but feel excited to return home to see my hometown friends and reunite with my family. Although Miami had some real damage, like crumpled cranes, submerged streets, squashed cars, downed trees and fences, and leaky roofs, gratefully we spared the worst destruction of Irma. Sad to hear that people still are without electricity. All in all, we dodged a bullet, and I am forever grateful.
Amidst the struggle, loss, and destruction dispersed across Florida in the wake of Irma, we in the "305" are pushing forward and working to return life to normal. I am super-duper grateful for God's protection. Thank you to the City workers and businesses across the region who put in overtime to restore their services to the people who needed them.
After a hurricane comes a rainbow. God puts rainbows in the skies for us in the fearfullest moments, so we can see the possibility of hope. I pray for the victims of Irma and for those who will and has come to their aid.