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I am a Florida resident, and a few weeks ago our state was subjected to the very large and devastating Hurricane Irma. Florida saw one of the largest evacuations in its history, which brought along with it gas shortages and highways that looked more like parking lots than freeways. On an individual level, the storm brought adrenaline, anxiety, and some pretty intense levels of stress. It wasn’t easy, but we made it through and now our communities are bonding together to rebuild stronger than we were before. Amongst the community bonding and the open arms of my friends, what stood out to me during the experience of Hurricane Irma was the help and support that I received from the men in my life. I would like to honor and say “Thank You” to the men who stepped up and helped me safely weather the hurricane.
First, to the neighbor who braved the long lines at multiple hardware stores to purchase enough plywood to cover all of my windows, and who subsequently helped me attach the wood to each of my home’s glass panels. Ensuring that my windows were covered and my home was readied as much as possible was the final task he took on before evacuating the state himself. He could have begun his evacuation several hours earlier and potentially minimized the amount of traffic he endured, but he instead acted as a good samaritan and ensured my home’s safe preparation. As a result of his generosity, my home received minimal damage and I was spared both financial and emotional consequences I would have likely incurred had my windows broken and my house flooded. Thank you.
Since I am a single woman and I didn’t want to risk being stranded on the interstate by myself amidst the dense traffic and scarcity of gas, I decided not to evacuate and to instead remain in Florida for the storm. Given that my house is a single story and close to the water, it wasn’t safe for me to ride out the storm in my own home. I was very grateful when friends of mine took me in and invited me to join their “Hurricane Party” at their house, which was located further from the water than my own home. After my neighbor helped me “hurricane proof” my home, I drove over to my friends’ house just hours before the city-wide curfew began, which required all residents to shelter-in-place and remain indoors until the storm had completely passed and all building structures were deemed stable and safe.
Upon my arrival, I found most of the people with whom I’d be riding out the storm huddled in the living room with a deck of Cards Against Humanity and adult beverages to ease the nervousness of the situation. The one person missing from the group was my friend’s husband, who was diligently laying sandbags by each of the exterior doors, bringing in the patio furniture, and picking up any potential flying debris from the yard. When the storm made an unexpected shift to the west and a direct hit on Tampa seemed imminent, my friend’s husband captained the household and reassured everyone that we would all be okay. He kept a meticulous inventory of the home’s flashlights, extra batteries, and bottled water. He cleared out the large walk-in pantry and filled it with blankets and pillows to be used as a safe room should the severity of the storm demand we seek added shelter. Until the wind picked up a few hours before the eye of the storm hit, my friend’s husband worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of the house and its occupants. Without his presence and preparation, chaos would have likely ensued. Thank you.
I am grateful for the friend who stayed on the phone with me and offered comfort and distraction in the form of light-hearted conversation
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Finally, I am grateful for the friend who stayed on the phone with me and offered comfort and distraction in the form of light-hearted conversation. He cracked jokes and talked me through my fear of the oncoming hurricane until the moment the power went out. It would be an understatement to say that I was calm and collected in the hours leading up to the storm, so having a confidant to speak with about my fears was an immense blessing. My friend took the time out of his day to maintain constant communication with me and to reiterate to me that all necessary steps had been taken to prepare for the storm and that ultimately everything would be alright. Without his camaraderie, I would have most certainly been overtaken with thoughts of the worst-case scenario that spiraled in my head. His compassion and friendship helped me emotionally weather the storm. Thank you.
To all of the men who kept their families and their communities safe during Hurricane Irma, as well as the equally devastating Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, thank you! Not to mention the many men (and women) who served in first responder roles, such as the police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, members of the National Guard, and the thousands of volunteers who stepped up to help their communities, thank you! A loud and resounding “THANK YOU!”
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