I am sitting in Canton, Georgia, with some dear college friends who were gracious to open their home to Aidan and me while we ran, rather quickly, away from Hurricane Michael late Monday evening.
The storm, upgraded to a category 4 this morning, will be approaching Panama City Beach in the next few minutes. I’ll be honest; I have been in tears on and off for the last few hours, but I went to take a shower and let it all out. The tears are for people who decided to stay and for our sweet little community.
Aside from all of that, I am thankful I trusted my gut and friend’s advice and left with Aidan. I woke up Monday to head home to 30A from Starkville after a trunk show for Klara Haloho. I had been absent from social media most of the weekend and didn’t even know there was a storm to be concerned with. I got home to grab Aidan from school, unload the car, repack, and head to Freeport to stay with some friends. On our way up 331, we heard the mandatory evacuation for our Zone, Zone A. There was no traffic on 331; Aidan and I looked at each other and decided to head straight to Atlanta to stay with our friends.
- I am thankful that we had time to get out.
- I am thankful my son is with me, and we are both safe.
- I am thankful for a sweet friend and her husband, Dana and Scott, who took the time to listen to my concerns and questions and give me his opinion on what they thought I should do.
- I am thankful for a caring friend who knew I was traveling home and warned me to gas up before I arrived back in Florida from Mississippi, as they were already out near my home. Thank you, Debbie.
- I am thankful for having the financial provision I need to be able to leave.
- I am thankful for sweet friends who opened their homes and called me before I planned to get out. Thank you, Kim & Adam.
- I am thankful that a house is just material; it’s not where my heart lies. My home is built on the foundation of my Lord and Savior and he will provide.
- I am thankful for a reliable car that can get us out safely.
- I am thankful my dad and Jan finally heeded the warnings and left; he’ll use any excuse to head west to Biloxi for Blackjack and 2-for-1 drinks, LOL!
- I am thankful my mom is hunkered down in Northwest Pensacola and should only receive mild wind and rain. Please pray for her continued safety.
- I am thankful for Aidan’s dad’s safety and proof that the land he lives on has never flooded, even in a Category 5 hurricane. Please pray for his safety.
- I am thankful for my pastor who was driving the empty roads of 98 this morning, praying for our sweet little town. God, please hear his prayers.
- I am thankful for all the memories I have made on the 30A beaches with my friends and family.
- I am thankful for all the emergency responders, news reporters, and government staff keeping us updated, protected, and safe in the coming days and weeks.
- I am thankful for the surrounding counties and states with military, first responders, and volunteers who are prepared and ready to come to us after the fact to help us rebuild.
- I am thankful that I serve a faithful Father who knows the outcome of this storm and will provide for all our needs.
- I am thankful for all my friends near and far who have reached out with concerns for Aidan and me
Everyone be safe! God bless our homes and beaches and our sweet little beach town. May the hand of God be with all of you.
