Wilma's Blessings

It seems like anything I write these days it has to do with hurricanes. Today is one week since Wilma pounded South Florida and for many of us the road to recovery is a slow and painful one. Some of us, like my family and I, have been a little more fortunate than others. We hooted for joy when our lights returned on Saturday. Those yellow orbs never looked more beautiful. To be able to take a hot shower again, and use the microwave and the dishwasher again, and for me to be able to write again. It almost brings tears to my eyes.

We in South Florida had never experienced such widespread damage. Andrew back in 1993, was bad. Many people lost their lives and their homes, but it was just in one area. This time Wilma made sure she touched everyone. So now we’re still trying to cope with limited services that we once took for granted-like the supermarkets, banks, not to mention electricity and gas. But we have a lot to be thankful for.

There is a lot of sharing and generosity not usually seen here. Our neighbor went out of town the day after the storm and left us with his generator, so we were able to plug in the fridge and other small appliances. Someone brought me ice and water, which I shared with a lady from my church who lives alone. People, for the most part, are more courteous on the roads since most of the traffic lights are out.

Also, many people are talking about God. This morning I heard a gentleman on a call-in radio program say that Wilma was a reminder to us that God is in charge. That our plans, our todays, our tomorrows are all in His hands and we need to acknowledge. And he was readily backed up by the radio host. Yes, we may not have all the food we need, we have to stand in long lines for supplies, but the majority of us survived, so while we still have today, let’s place it in God’s hands.