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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: BACK TO BASICS (02/16/17)
Life in sunny Florida is beset by joyful sunny days and cool winters. We have some seasonal changes but the most remarkable are the occasional hurricanes.

Years ago we were besieged by news of an impending storm.
A few days before it struck the weathermen issued multiple warnings of its tempestuous nature. They described it as a category 4; so we began to prepare.

We bought bottled water, a freezer full of food, paper plates and cups, candles, matches and a gas operated grill.
We filled our two bathtubs with water and battened down windows and all exits. Hurricane shutters were screwed onto windows all over our neighbourhood and many people moved to shelters. However, we hunkered down and prayed.

The rain started gently. I was surprised at how gentle it was, but then the wind started. Gales grew in intensity and they lashed our home at about one hundred miles an hour. Everything that could shake was being shaken and branches could be heard hitting the exterior walls of our home as they were ripped from our trees.

Inside the house, electricity was gone so we lit candles. We could hear the blowing and turmoil of the winds. They continued for about 6 hours. It seemed we were in the eye of the hurricane’s fury. We tried not to be afraid.

Slowly it moved away and we breathed sighs of relief. We assessed the damage and began to survive on what we had accumulated. Our family plan was to have one cooked meal a day. We drank our purchased water and used the bath water for hygiene and toileting needs. Thankfully the freezer stayed cold enough to keep our raw food cold.

Without electricity we could not operate our electronics, so we kept ourselves occupied in different ways like reading and playing board games.

For about six days we lived frugally. We did what was basic and essential. Slowly neighbours emerged from their houses and shared stories. We all lived in similar ways. Apart from some roof damage all seemed well and we were grateful to God that we were not homeless.

My reflections on that hurricane time generate thankfulness in me that we were able to prepare and that we were kept from danger.
In conclusion, I think of how dependent we have become on our daily 'luxuries' and that we could live without them if we had to.

More important than these 'things' are the people we love and the truth that God provides and protects His children*.

*Psalm 121:7
The LORD will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life.
*Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Dennis Gallemore
02/25/17
Nice reflections! Reminds me of an ice storm that hit my home (in the Ozarks) several years ago. We were without power for almost two weeks. Times like those really teach you to appreciate the basics!
Sherry Brock
02/26/17
Wonderful story with a great message.
Phillip Cimei
02/28/17
Great story. I lived in Oklahoma for forty years. Every spring we prayed earnestly that another f5 tornado would not hit again. I think you had a good handle on the topic. Good beginning. I think the story flowed well to prove your point. The ending was good, but maybe a little predictable. Overall I think it was a very well written piece. God bless.