It’s funny that the past couple days I have talked about fear and decision making because today is a day when we are considering dealing with both issues. I would like to think about the fact that I am having some Yare’ (respect) for God’s power through the weather and deciding to take some necessary precautions to protect my home and family as Hurricane Matthew approaches. However, I am sure that as big as our family is there will be differences of opinion on what and how things should be done.
It has been a long time since dealing with this type of challenge. In 1964 Hurricane Dora came and I went surfing without a thought of potential consequences. I sat on my surf board watching the police call the three of us from a bull horn and President Johnson’s motorcade come and go. I thought it was needless worry. In 1979 Hurricane Fredrick came and went which just made me mad because of the cleanup. Funny how one’s perspective changes over the years.
As the years have passed my Yare’ for Mother Nature has changed as has my level of feeling responsible for those I love. Life is no longer quite as simple or black and white. Each and every responsibility has value and importance because each one has consequence that must be eventually embraced. The key, in my mind, is taking the time to prioritize each decision’s weight and then act from that perspective. I know that whatever decisions that will be made will not be palatable to other family members, yet they do not hold the role or position I carry – and I am extremely glad they do not carry that weight. Your time will come soon enough and there will be many of those times.
My priorities will not center so much on the worry of the moment, they will focus on sustaining and meeting our family’s needs after the fury of the storm is past. We will take the precautions of boarding up windows, moving in the outdoor furniture, etc., but tomorrow will come and the needs will continue long after the storm is gone. So, I know my decision to keep at what sustains us will be foreign to other family members, but it must be done so this upcoming holiday season of birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be you filled also.
I would like to think that all of my reasoning is correct, but much of it is based on the future and many of the things that I am concerned about do not happen. Tracy is much more about being in the moment and dealing with issues at hand than I am. As the hunter/provider it is always about how to feed and care for those who call me dad or hubby. There is still much to be learned from each of you about getting a mix between what is past, present and future.
So as we look forward to the next few days, we will need to pray and focus on what is really important and that is each other’s safety and well-being. That well-being is not just about not getting hurt from the effects of the storm, but making sure we keep a balance in our emotions and have an honest to goodness appreciation for each person’s needs/perspectives.
Let’s do our best for each other.
Love Dad