Well, Matthew (the hurricane, not you my son) is going to smack us and I am not quite as capable of withstanding the punches like I used to. So, my decision is made. I can see the anxiety and frustration level increasing in each of us. We knew it was coming and unfortunately, the challenge causes some of us to focus on differing aspects and priorities. Normal and predictable.
Tracy feels an extreme sense of responsibility to our pets as well as Matt and Tori’s. Her decision is going to be based on how she sees her role with the animals and other family members. With her, I believe, it is about being with others and the security that others may bring to the anxiety of the circumstances. I can see that and how important it is to her, even though I would prefer to have her with me. As I have gotten older and we have spent more and more time alone together that concept just seems to resonate. You kids are older and have a right to your own decisions as you now support yourselves and govern your own destiny. She will always be the mom and protector of the “varmints.”
Gabrielle’s friend Hanna is at Florida State so she left early yesterday and is safe and sound. Wise choice to get out of town when she did to avoid the mass exodus from the city. I was glad to see her get out there when there was less traffic and having an opportunity to be with such a good friend.
Micah has headed over to Kelly’s house so he can honker down there. They are on high ground and I would assume far enough back from the river to be safe during this process. I think of everyone, he can sit back and ride this out better than the rest of us. I may be wrong, but I see much more of a calmness about him during this process than most everyone else. It reminds me of the time he “took charge” while we were in the Addis Abba airport in Ethiopia. What a star he was that day!
When Bekah, Tracy and I got to Nick’s house Abby was upset. Bruno had been gone for a couple days and the hurricane is now rapidly approaching. While I know my assurances did not give her a lot of peace, he is a tom cat and IS prone to wander! She and the group initially decided to honker down there, but when the storm was upgraded to a Category 4 they all changed their mind. Nick has a friend in Valdosta who will take them and the animals so they are packing up to leave around 7PM. So with that, we all seem to have headed in different directions for different reasons.
The important thing through all of this is that we are all safe and secure during this time. Even the varmints, despite their averseness to travel. We will all join back together sometime in the next few days and start the cleanup process – and I am sure there will be a fair amount of that to do.
I find it interesting that God creates us all so differently. We have lived together, eaten the same food, laughed at the same jokes, hold so much in common and yet our reasoning and decision making is unique and unto each person. Wow, what a blessing and what a tool to teach us the diversity of God and His children.
The important thing is that we are growing each other with the lessons He had planned for us since before time began. Each lesson was to make us better for ourselves, each other and for all those we come in contact with. To me that is the real miracle of life. We call many things miracles, but to see Him knit and weave all the variables into exactly what we need, when we need it is the real miracle.
Love Dad