Storms

As someone with family in South Florida and three close friends from New Orleans, it feels like I've logged my share of hours watching hurricane projected paths and Jim Cantore reporting from various points on the Eastern Seaboard during "Hurricane Season." Friends of mine in California would sometimes say things like "Why would anyone live in Florida and deal with those hurricanes?" when of course Floridians might say the same about California earthquakes and wildfires....

As a meteorological condition vs. geological, having to do with an extreme low pressure system over warm ocean water, there's an element of advance warning to hurricanes, and a season for them. This time of year my sister and brother in law bring boats back from the Bahamas, they have hurricane shutters and generators, Mag lights, radios, batteries and food supplies. As a Tropical Storm might gather strength over the Atlantic, there is often a few days before it hits land, so one can often prepare: buy extra food and water, shutter up, tie down boats, bring in outdoor furniture, pets and plants, then decide to evacuate or bunker down and ride out the storm.

Preparing for something - whether you want it to happen or not - helps give a sense of 'control over your destiny' (whether that is actually true or not). The storm may get bigger, and it may hit, and you can't do anything about that, but there's been a certain period of time of wrapping your head around things, making decisions, coping.

The other storms in life - earthquakes, flash floods, tornadoes, tsunamis - sudden death, terrorist attacks, unexpected news about a severe health condition, loss of relationship, job, home, pregnancy - fall in that blind side category, where there is often no preparing, just dealing, under extreme stress.

A friend of mine received unexpected news yesterday pertaining to her work visa in this country which is causing her to rethink and readjust her plans for staying in this country where she's attended school, worked, made friends and made a life. I know that somehow things will work out for her, but also know she's in the storm right now, and unable to think about much else.

Storms aren't forever, the sun does come out again, but the during time can be a tough place to be for a while.