#Irma

Image found on businessinsider.com

I sit here with The Weather Channel on…as it has been for days straight. We have two anxious, restless dogs pacing; and four kittens tussling on the floor. By Monday, I may have our blind horse in our hallway.  I'm typing this now, because I'm honestly unsure of how the power outages and lack of cell service might affect my blog posts this week.

Am I nervous? Yes. Admittedly, I'm a bit terrified. But the Sheffield girls are handling this no different than we've handled the good times and the bad times…with laughter. Laughter has been what has gotten us through every other tough time: death, cancer, chemo, surgeries, funerals, etc.

In regards to Irma, we have laughed at nearly every meme out there. Does that mean that we are taking this any less seriously? No. But in so many ways, laughter is our coping mechanism.

Our community has seen something I'm not sure it ever has before this week. The sheer traffic has been incredible. I was encouraged to leave work a few minutes early on Thursday so that I was able to get to the college in time. Pulling out of SE 3rd Avenue, I understood why. The Northbound lane of 129 was backed up from the stop light all the way to the Sheriff's Office Curve. In driving to the college, it took me five minutes to even be able to pull onto Highway 19 going Northbound, because the traffic was steady, and the two cars in front of me were hoping to cross 19.

I was reminded why I will always be a small town girl. But more than anything, I sat watching the traffic praying that the people passing through would get to a safe location, and come home to find their property and homes better off than they had anticipated.

Friday, as I was sitting at home, trying to get all of the laundry done, I got a phone call from Emergency Management stating that the County was under a Mandatory Evacuation. Before I fully understood what that entailed, being ever the worrier, I panicked. Where were we supposed to go at this point? How were we supposed to leave when there was a gas shortage, the roads were clogged, and the hotels were booked as far as you could imagine? Not to mention, what were we supposed to do about our animals?

After speaking to two of my Aunts, I was in a much better headspace. Truthfully, there was little we could do at this point. We had supplies, we had prepared as best we could.

I know it's difficult to see, I took this at sunset.

I was further sobered upon walking outside and seeing that Rheba had painted her numbers across her horses in livestock paint. Do not misunderstand, I know that it is a necessity. I know that this is the reality of all livestock owners in the path of a storm. I realize that it is essential if the animal gets freaked out, gets out, goes down the road, etc. But I also know the alternative, and that is what hurt my heart. It is all part of the preparation, though.

We have picked up what we could outside; stocked up on the essentials; tried to figure out a game plan for all of our animals; washed clothes; figured out the water situation; and the list goes on and on…

Do I know what is going to happen today and Monday? No. I am not privy to that crystal ball. But I have faith. And I know that Floridians are survivors. We withstand the Florida heat, the mosquitos, the alligators, and practically ALL the crazies that live among us (I'm convinced that every crazy news story comes from Florida). We are truly strong breed.

To my friends, family, and Floridian readers, y'all are on my heart today. I am praying for your safety through all of this.