I've been transfixed by hurricane news. My Lord, the horrors.
I grew up in Houston so I remember well the worry and nerves of tracking the storm, watching the news, etc. But in all the years I lived there, the only storm I remember that caused serious damage was Alicia in 1983.
I was 18 then, so while it was scary, it was also exciting in that way that only comes to those who own nothing and are responsible for no one else. Now, I have a different perspective on it. I look at photos of homes with water up past the windows, and realize that even the homes with "just" one inch or one foot of water in them are in some ways ruined. What do these people do?
It reminds me that my former priest told me once (I think he was quoting CS Lewis) that I'd better never love anyone or anything more than I loved Jesus, because Jesus was the only person that was never, ever going to go away from me.
I don't like that teaching. It's a hard one. I love all my PEOPLES AND THINGS and I have a lot of them. I especially love and treasure my books and family heirlooms because they remind me of people who are not here any more.
I also love my comforts: my funny old house that is good to sit, sleep, eat, and cook in (even if the bathroom ceiling DID fall down this morning!). Folks whose homes have been hurricane-d may not be able to be at home, or be comfortable there, for a long time.
Here's a funny thing that I learned from this storm: I was telling my husband Sunday night (while we were obsessively watching TV in the middle of the night as the storm pounded toward land) that I had a friend who lived in its path, and she was evacuating, and I was concerned about her.
He said, "Who?"
I said, "St. Casserole."
"WHO?!"
"She's one of my blog friends. I don't know her real name."
"How can she be your friend if you don't know her name!? Where does she live?"
"I don't know that either."
"WHAT!? Who are these online people that you don't know anything about, but that you call friends?!?"
You are my friends of the heart. Thank you for sharing with me. Blessings on you all.
