Ike
Apparently, things aren't so good in Texas.
For the past couple of days, I'd been freaking out about this massive hurricane heading towards Houston, about my family and their safety, about the safety of our house and pets and whatnot. The night of the hurricane, my mom finally calls me despite the busy networks down there. She tells me they're barbequing and drinking and playing dominoes, which she lightheartedly referred to as "Hurricane Party 2008". Also, she made some uncomfortable references to strip poker, but we won't get into that.
The hurricane passes, bringing a lot of rain, almost flooding the house. The worst part about it were the high wind speeds. Trees are sliced in half, heavy unmovable branches litter the streets, utility poles are down, and so on. My family loses electricity, but they're okay. No one is hurt, and I'm quite thankful for that.
This morning, I get a call from home once more. There's still no electricity, and it's raining again, harder than ever, and it will continue to do so until well into tomorrow.
The house is starting to flood, she says.
You know, I've always secretly believed in karma. I've never outwardly expressed that sentiment, because bad things happen and one is so quick to point the finger in order to throw dirt on personal decisions made. Honestly though, I'm not sure why my family deserves this. We live relatively quiet lives. Everyone works hard to maintain a peaceful household. My mother is a single parent raising four crazy kids on her own. My sister has finally gotten her life together and is trying so hard live better and fulfill her goals. Why do they need another obstacle? Why them?
Seven years ago, our house flooded with about 5 feet of water from Tropical Storm Allison, and it took a couple of years before our lives were back in order. I pray that history doesn't repeat itself, but prayers can only go so far. My mother said over the years (and told me a few days ago upon the news of Hurricane Ike's projected track into Galveston) that if the house flooded again, she wouldn't have the emotional capacity to deal with it again. I believe her.
So please, if you're reading this and believe in the power of prayer AT ALL, send one up. It would help immensely.
For the past couple of days, I'd been freaking out about this massive hurricane heading towards Houston, about my family and their safety, about the safety of our house and pets and whatnot. The night of the hurricane, my mom finally calls me despite the busy networks down there. She tells me they're barbequing and drinking and playing dominoes, which she lightheartedly referred to as "Hurricane Party 2008". Also, she made some uncomfortable references to strip poker, but we won't get into that.
The hurricane passes, bringing a lot of rain, almost flooding the house. The worst part about it were the high wind speeds. Trees are sliced in half, heavy unmovable branches litter the streets, utility poles are down, and so on. My family loses electricity, but they're okay. No one is hurt, and I'm quite thankful for that.
This morning, I get a call from home once more. There's still no electricity, and it's raining again, harder than ever, and it will continue to do so until well into tomorrow.
The house is starting to flood, she says.
You know, I've always secretly believed in karma. I've never outwardly expressed that sentiment, because bad things happen and one is so quick to point the finger in order to throw dirt on personal decisions made. Honestly though, I'm not sure why my family deserves this. We live relatively quiet lives. Everyone works hard to maintain a peaceful household. My mother is a single parent raising four crazy kids on her own. My sister has finally gotten her life together and is trying so hard live better and fulfill her goals. Why do they need another obstacle? Why them?
Seven years ago, our house flooded with about 5 feet of water from Tropical Storm Allison, and it took a couple of years before our lives were back in order. I pray that history doesn't repeat itself, but prayers can only go so far. My mother said over the years (and told me a few days ago upon the news of Hurricane Ike's projected track into Galveston) that if the house flooded again, she wouldn't have the emotional capacity to deal with it again. I believe her.
So please, if you're reading this and believe in the power of prayer AT ALL, send one up. It would help immensely.