Get Some Sleep

In October of 2016, I experienced my first hurricane. His name was Matthew. With a wind force at about 85 miles per hour, the Florida coastline was pummeled. One issue that I took with this hurricane was that night, I could hear the storm more than I could see the storm. The moon and stars had been snuffed out. I could hear the waves beating upon a brick wall, but I could not see the waves. I could hear a boat that had been anchored a little off the shoreline, now mercilessly being beaten repeatedly against the brick wall. Again I could hear it, but I could not see it. The winds were not only blowing but were seemingly moaning and roaring effortlessly at the same time. I had never heard such alpha male winds. With the electricity being out, a black darkness enveloped the area. While my eyes were wide open peering into the night, a storm was present, yet invisible. And though invisible, signs of its’ presence were everywhere.

The unfamiliar howling of the wind tried to blow tumbleweed thoughts of fear and doubt into my mind. And like the wind that night, I couldn’t see the thoughts being blown but I felt their presence. I was tempted to so quickly forget in the dark what I had been taught in the light. I was taught and told what supplies were needed. I was told that the building was built to withstand hurricane winds and that it was literally a fortress. I was taught that the windows were hurricane ready as well. I was reminded that even if there were a loss of power, given a little time a back up generator would kick in. And because I could hear a storm more so than I could see it, a bad situation was about to be made worse.

Don’t forget in the dark what you have learned in the light. Panic and fear was not and never does make a situation any better. It only makes matters worse. As General Patton during battle, “I never take counsel with my fears.” I suggest that you do likewise. Keep your poise.

And by the way, my little girl was with me during the entire storm. She was never afraid. She never got a chance to be afraid because she slept through the entire storm. While her father was up all night walking, watching and waiting, she was fast asleep. While her father was up all night, she slept all night. Get some sleep.