I am so tired of the hurricane watch. I feel like that is all I’ve done since 2004, even though I know that’s not true. But that’s the way I feel right now. In 2004, we were hit by both Frances and Jeanne. In 2005, it was Wilma. Now, we are waiting to see what Ernesto will do. And I’ve been very blessed with all of these hurricanes, as we haven’t sustained much damage. But I am still just so tired of the hurricane watch. I love South Florida, but right now I am ready to live somewhere else.
I am 35 years old. I grew up in tornado country. In fact, I spent about 25 years living in tornado country. Do you know how many tornadoes hit me in all that time? Zero, that’s right, zero. I’ve spent five years living in Florida and I’ve already been hit by three hurricanes and it could soon be four (the rest of my years were spent in either Utah or California). Those are not numbers that make me happy (well that I’ve never been hit by a tornado makes me very happy).
I know when the hurricane season ends, I will once again be very happy I live in Florida. Right now, though I am very tired of hurricane season and we still have three months to go.
Hurricanes are predicted so far ahead that the waiting can get tedious. But whatever preparations you make this time can still be used next time if you don’t need them. Why not use Hurricane waiting as a reason to create a memory such as an impromptu trip to a park or library to stock up on books. OR an excuse to snap pictures of flowers or trees or sunsets or puddles that may not be there when the hurricane is done. Use it as an excuse to bake something (so you will have it ahead) or make food ahead or do something to fill the hours.
I live in Ohio Valley in tornado country and my daughters and I have been in the midst of or actually watched four or five tornados touching down (had actual house damage from one and trees down in my yard from another). There was usually less than 30 minutes warning and sometimes not even that and frequently little to no time to get to a place of safety. My youngest daughter now lives in the heart of hurricane country and she says she much prefers the advance warning and being able to seek shelter and get prepared to sitting terrified unable to get away. Somehow I feel she is right but I can’t seem to escape this Valley no matter how hard I have tried. Maybe someday…. there is still hope.