Smiles and Hurricane Michael

The Calm at the Center of a Personal Storm

Health-wise, the last year has been awful.  In fact, I wrote about it in last week’s parenting post.  I also used this metaphor to describe our sweet little one:

So, the Nola Nerd Baby has been at the center of this stormy, turbulent, terrifying year. But like all centers of a storm, she has been our quiet refugee.

I used that metaphor too soon.

Hurricane Michael and the Nola Nerd Family

Mrs. Nola Nerd Couple’s family was from the New Orleans area originally.  Her uncle moved first and then opened up his own business.  Her grandparents and family followed.  Eventually, her uncle and grandparents ended up in Panama City Beach.  Her mom now resides in Panama City. For those that don’t know, the PCB and Panama City are separated by a narrow pass at St. Andrew Bay.

For Hurricane Michael, that small distance made a big impact.

Last week, when Hurricane Michael hit, was an emotional roller coaster, to say the least.  I don’t want to get too much into it, but the bottom line is that everyone is safe and the property damage could have been worse, especially for her mom.  Her uncle’s place of business should be opening up soon, and he has power.

Her mom evacuated to this area. Wednesday was an extremely emotional day.  A day, the Mrs. and I only know too well for we lived it 13 years ago.  Nothing we could say or do could really provide them the comfort they needed.

Yet, the Nola Nerd Baby could.  She didn’t know what was going on.  She just lives in the moment.  Her favorite things are to grab things and smile at you.  She repeatedly brought my mother-in-law and step-father-in-law out of horrible realities they were facing and into a world where smiles are the only currency.  She was their quiet refugee in the center of the very real storm they were facing.

Because we have her, we can’t really go help with recovery until power and running water are restored (my mother-in-law has neither at this time, but her parents do). However, we do have a baby willing to smile and talk baby talk through FaceTime. Same with my mother-in-law’s other grandchild.

Because let’s face it, you can only rebuild if you yourself have a solid foundation.  And what is a better foundation, than the unconditional love of a child?

How you can help?

How you can help?  Money is the best thing to give.  Actual supplies cause logistical problems (transporting them in and then find a place to store them.  Plus, they do have an influx of said supplies.)  Money helps because this is not a short-term problem.  This will be a long haul rebuilding of the area. Some charities include: 

• Americares
• Bear Creek Feline Center
• Pensacola-Tallahassee Catholic Diocese

Update on February 1, 2019: While Panama City Beach looked like a small tropical storm went through it, everything to the east suffered uspeakable damage. Because it was mostly wind damage, one building can have no damage and be fully functional while the one next to it completely destroyed.

They still need help. Please think about giving still.