Discovering Joy In The Eye Of Irma

Tomorrow morning Mike will go to our house to assess the aftermath of Irma. We could have blown out windows and water damage, a ripped through lanais, or just a few branches and trees down (which is what it sounds like from our neighbors that stayed could be the only case – thanks be to God).

But it doesn’t matter. About half way through the storm, when the eye was 20 miles from my house, I finally settled into acceptance. I accepted the fact that Irma was coming. That we had neglected to buy hurricane shutters so our windows were unprotected from the strong winds. That our emergency fund could be used up to bounce back from this situation.

CNN was broadcasting live from my home town, that I love so much, but I couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t sit helplessly and watch it happen. It was happening, and there was nothing I could do about it.

Miraculously both my boys were napping, so I grabbed my laptop and went to sit in the warm bright Ohio sun. I logged onto Citrix and caught up on work. Because that is something I have control over. Because that made me feel normal. Because life goes on.

Life knocks us down or blows us over, but we must go on. Each experience is a lesson to learn. A lesson that drives us closer to our great strength and reminds us about what is important in life.

Connecting with Mike in the depths of Irma’s wrath and understanding that he was ok reminded me that all that really matters is my family’s safety. We have each other (not to mention amazing family, friends, and neighbors) so we will be ok. And Irma connected people again. Hearts were open and prayers and helping hands poured in from everywhere, from people of all beliefs and political backgrounds.

Irma made this past week one of the hardest of my life – so much uncertainty; so many hard, quick decisions to make; so much fear, despair, and sleepless nights. But as its coming to an end and we are all safe I am finally able to see the joy.

We’ve been creating joyous memories since the boys and I drove out of Naples on Thursday afternoon. We giggled in the airport and brought smiles to harried travelers’ faces. We had bonfires with Grandad and Chanel No. 5 bubble baths with Gram. I’ve slept and snuggled with two twirling boys in a double bed. We have joy. We have abundance. Most importantly, we have love.

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