Moody Meow

Liberal, lunatic lassie, with mood swings and foot-in-mouth syndrome

One year ago today….

Posted on | August 13, 2005 | 4 Comments

We prepared for the unkown. After the power went out at 9:30, I spent the evening huddled in the hallway with the creatures. A storm blew furiously. I felt the ground rumble as great oaks fell. I listened with great fear to the wind tearing my neighborhood apart. Darkness fell. It fell hard. And just after midnight D and I, accompanied by our trusty canines (who had to pee) ventured out to see the damage. It was year ago today that Hurricane Charley blew through our lives.

I have to thank that damnable storm for a lot of things. I learned to fully appreciate air conditioning. I didn’t care much about the lights, as candlelight is quite becoming. But the infernal, sticky, overbearing heat of a summer night brought love for blessed cool air. I also came to appreciate how old homes are built. The idea of covering 27 windows (I counted them all) in preperation scared the shit out of me. But those windows brought such comfort when they were opened to their fullest, allowing the sticky, but clean air to move through the house for a time. The best thing about the storm was a whole and complete understanding of how much I loved my man. It’s strange to think that a storm can clean the cobwebs in a mind such as mine, but as the ferocious wind tore through the brances, it also tore through my heart. I didn’t honestly think that we would die. But I did think that we had a chance of losing this home we loved so. And when the winds quieted, a thought came to me. I loved D. I didn’t want to be without him. And so from the storm came the full understanding that we should marry. I know it seems odd, or off, to think that a hurricane can bring completion, but it did for me.

I still miss the canopies that sheltered some of my favorite streets. And it was not the lives lost that I mourned, it was the corpses of fallen trees and torn vegitation. If you know me at all, you know that the natural cost would hit me hardest. I felt for those that lost loved ones, homes, and whole lives. But I also mourned the destruction of the land I love. I do love it here. I admit that much. For the natural chaos that blossoms from every garden, from every cobblestone street (you’ve seen the grass that grows between them, I know you have), from every sidewalk, it fills me with green.

So, the hurricane allowed some to rebuild with a clean, if painful slate. For me, it clarified what was important. I hope that you don’t have to hear the winds tearing at your door to realize what means most to you. Today, I kiss my husbad, and tell all of you who bore witness to that brutal night to remember what you lost, and all that you’ve gained since.

Category: Contemplation, Wild Weather

Comments

4 Responses to “One year ago today….”

  1. Kit Cat
    August 13th, 2005 @ 10:27 am

    This is really beautiful, Erica.

  2. Anne
    August 13th, 2005 @ 10:29 am

    Wow, that brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for those uplifting words and yes – they were very uplifting. xoxo

  3. Hollie
    August 13th, 2005 @ 2:21 pm

    hey, can you give me a call? I need your help with something…. thanks a bunch. I will be home the rest of today. Can you call my cell phone? or would it be better if I call you?

  4. little24lexy
    August 14th, 2005 @ 5:39 am

    I love that it makes me want to snuggle up to your man and love him too… can I join

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