Hurricanes

I celebrated my birthday on Friday, August 29. Lily and Graeme made me a cake with Wes' help of course. Still each year on my birthday, I remember the one that most recently changed our lives. Three years ago, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. I was home alone with Lily when the Hurricane came through and in the aftermath, changed life as we know it. We were about to celebrate the one year anniversary of Lily being home. She was still so tiny. Our city changed after the hurricane. We moved within 2 months of the storm. Each time I go home to visit family it is a little more back to normal or the new normal anyway.

Now, I am watching as a new hurricane is headed toward Louisiana. My mother, brother and sister and their families are all there. There is a part of me that is so relieved to be here safe in the mountains. But as crazy as it sounds, there is a part of me that wants to be there with them. I am not so crazy that I want to experience yet another hurricane but I just want to be there with my family. They have all been on my mind so much. The experts are predicting that Baton Rouge could be on the "other" side of the hurricane....not the "good" side like last time but the "bad" side. I can't imagine it being much crazier than last time. I do think people are more prepared.

So tonight, I can't sleep. I am keeping a constant vigil on the weather channel and talking to my family as much as possible. I am worried about when the storm hits and not being able to get in touch with them. I am hoping it shifts. I am praying for my family and all of those in the path of the storm. I hope you'll join me.