Lots of Things on My Mind
Hurricane Gustav is hitting the coast of LA with waves exceeding 34 ft in height and winds on land at more than 50mph at the current time. Offshore, the winds are at approximately 115mph. A historic evacuation of NOLA took place over the past couple of days with more than 2 million people fleeing the storm.
Completely incredible. Can you seriously imagine a huge metropolis being nothing more than a one-horse-town? Stores, gas stations, bars, homes, schools… everything boarded up and left behind to face the winds and the rain.
Few people decided against leaving. Some didn’t have any other place to go. Some refused to leave their homes and businesses again. The looting after Hurricane Katrina ruined the thought of safety for personal belongings, thus some people staying behind to protect their assets.
My prayers are being said for all of those in the area of this hurricane, as well as all of those who evacuated for safety. Godspeed, everyone!
Another thing on my mind is my sister. She will be here in a few hours to give hugs and kisses and no doubtably warn me against shedding a tear. She will of course tell me once again why she is doing this. She will promise me she’ll be safe and she will call me soon. She will not look back as she drives off back towards her home. In a few days, she will be one of those heroic Americans who leave their families and their lives behind to protect others, and once again stand for the freedom that we as Americans have.
I know. I really do know. I know she’s doing this because she “needs” to. I know she’s doing this because she wants to. I know she’s doing this because she enjoys her job in the Armed Forces. I know she’s doing the right thing, in her eyes and in the eyes of thousands of others. But in MY heart, I can’t let it be. I can’t understand it. I can’t figure it out. Call me selfish and immature and anything else you feel the need to. But this is MY sister. This is my only sister. This is my best friend. This is the aunt of my children. This is my nephew’s mommy. This is all the meaning behind the tears that I now shed. (Better get it out now before she sees me. )
Please keep her and her son in your prayers and thoughts. And please, Lord, bring her home safe!
One more thing on my mind right now…today is Labor Day. Today is the holiday (not the date) that I lost my brother 21 years ago. The date was September 7, 1987. It is another day I will never forget no matter how many years set apart that day and today.
With all of these things laying on my heart and mind right now, I am reminded of how close we need to hold our loved ones to our heart. Please kiss your spouse, hold your children, love your neighbor and never take life for granted. In only a heartbeat, it can all change.
SSS … Stay Safe & Strong.
