As I write, Hurricane Milton — a storm that brought one veteran meteorologist to tears while on the air — is barreling toward Tampa Bay and Orlando. It is scheduled to come ashore late this evening and early tomorrow as the largest storm to ever hit this area. At least a dozen of my beloveds as well as beloveds of supporters of Spark and Spitfire live here. Spark and Spitfire is not my playground today.
Please pray for all in the pathway of a storm that the above mentioned meteorologist called “just horrific.” Many places in Hurricane Milton’s cone of impact were hit hard by Helene just weeks ago. Gigantic piles of debris from Helene will become aerial projectiles if they are not removed in time, not to mention, the monumental task of removing the tons and tons of new debris from Milton.
During emergencies, I tend to calmly take the lead if there is something I can do. When there is seemingly nothing I can do, I am kind of a basket case, ornery and unable to concentrate on anything — reading or writing. But this quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. offered much wisdom:
Whether it is a tsunami, or whether it is a hurricane, whether it’s an earthquake — when we see these great fatal and natural acts, men and women of every ethnic persuasion come together and they just want to help.
I just want to help. At a minimum, I can continue to pray and yes, take solace in scripture such as this verse from the Gospel of John: “I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you” (John 14:18). I can also take comfort in the small things around me that remind me of my sense of humor. Sometimes It helps simply to surround yourself with a few of the gifts that define the sassy and unique character that you are. Love and safety to all.
I share your terror about this storm. 😔
Thank you for being with us, Neola. I woke up at 2:30 a.m. to check the track of Milton and learned that it has intensified and will hit just south of the Tampa Bay/Clearwater area rather than a direct hit on the area. That being said, there is NO safe place in the path of this monster, and any little weather disruption could change Milton’s course.
Don’t get me started on the lies, lies, lies about climate change and/or FEMA’s response. Fucking unbelievable.
May God keep them safe. I have been following the storms and devastation.
Thank you, dear Mary.🙏💕
These two hurricanes are their own HUGE disaster and they seem to carry a symbolism of our out-of-control world. We are so helpless as we watch the track. It is probably hard for us modern day folk to experience such helplessness and powerlessness. Prayer is the only response that carries hope.
Sobering perspective, Charlotte. 😢🙏💕
Sharon, thank you for this thoughtful piece. The lectionary of the past two weeks has included passages from Job, and these have seemed so apt. With Job, we ache. We Job, we wonder. With Job, we wait. With Job, we cry out for answers. With Job, we listen for that reassurance that we have not been forgotten in all the terrors of our lives. I pray that still, small voice of Presence will surround those in the midst of this storm…and also all who are concerned and worried about loved ones caught up in this nightmare.
❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏
Thanks for your prayers, all. My brother and his wife have decided to ride out the storm on Pine Island, off the coast of Fort Meyers. Oh, my. Their son and his family live outside of Orlando, too.
This is not good news, Beth. So sorry. I just watched the latest update and it appears that the Fort Meyers area is going to be hit hard as Milton whips around after making landfall. The storm surge is predicted to be awful. So, so much—including loved ones—beyond our control.