Something I have learned in the past 48 hours: prepping for a hurricane is way different than prepping for a snow storm. I know, most people, especially native Floridians, are thinking “Well, duh.” Hey, I’m a Midwestern gal, and snow and tornados are what I know. For the landlocked, our natural disasters require the essentials: bread, milk, and booze. Typically, it is a bunker-down and ride-out-the-storm situation. Okay, okay, of course there is more preparation than that, and I am not trying to say blizzards and tornados are a walk in the park; however, I have been fortunate enough to have been safe during those storms. That, and I always had my parents and my basement. Quick sidebar: I understand why Floridians don’t have basements (times like these), but I have grown a deep appreciation for my basement. With my family of seven and all the unnecessary shit that has found solace in our basement, I don’t know how we would have managed without one. Also, being from Missouri, we have descended to the basement per our mother’s orders many times in the past due to a threat of a tornado. Apart from the rough weather that I faced with my parents with me, the only other storms I faced were in college. It’s an understatement to say college students don’t really take weather warnings seriously. It honestly is an excuse to stay up late, drink with friends, and maybe build a snowman the following day. Snowpacalypse 2014 was a frigid, yet incredibly fun time. This is another story.
Where Katie and Chris live, and where I am currently residing, there were people who were packing up and saying goodbye to their homes. Their homes. That is an absolutely sobering thing to witness. So, I packed up a few things in my car and drove inland. Speaking of which, packing up and not exactly knowing what you will be returning to is unnerving. In the event of an evacuation, there is only a few things that I absolutely need. My memory boxes. Anyone who knows me knows that I keep everything, especially letters given to me. Sugar. My stuffed animal cat that I’ve had my whole life. My computer. Okay, I guess I don’t need my computer, but given the option I would like to have it. It is crazy to think about what you would take if you were only able to back a suitcase. It makes you think about what you really value and what you cannot replace. Lucky for us, Matthew cooled his jets a bit and was downgraded to a category 3 hurricane by the time he made his debut in Jacksonville, PTL. The eye of the storm moved to the east just a bit, and that made all the difference. He still brought crazy winds and rain, and I’m inland. The bridges are closed, and I know that there is devastation towards the east; however, for right now I am so thankful for my safety. I am also thankful that my cousin, Laura, lives more inland and allowed me to ride out the storm with her. Now, continuing today writing this, it is a beautiful day in Jacksonville, and I checked on Chris and Katie’s place and it is fine! There is no damage interiorly or exteriorly. There is no power, but that is the only thing. So, once again, thank God for our safety and for their home surviving the storm. I know that there are places in Jacksonville who do not have the same success stories, and I am hopeful that the people of the city reach out and help those in need. My prayers go out to all of those who were in Matthew’s path. I would have to say that surviving a hurricane is the most Floridian thing that I have done thus far, and I hope to not have to experience one again any time soon. Thank you to family and friends who checked in and made sure we were safe. Thank you to everyone who sent prayers our way, and a huge thank you to Big G for answering prayers for our safety. Thank you to the first responders in Jacksonville for all of your hard work to allow us to return home. Thank you for the wine that helped ease any nervousness. Goodbye, Matthew, you will not be missed. Always, Molly
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“Every election is determined by the people who show up.” –Larry J. Sabato
Well, I guess if you want to get technical it is, “Speak now or hold your peace for the next four years.” It’s election season, ladies and gentleman. Now, I am not going to get wrapped up in a debate on who you should vote for (though I could), but I am going to state the importance that you vote. We are given the opportunity to make our voice heard, and if you give up that right during election season, you have also given up the right for the next four years. I have had many conversations with people who complain about the way our nation is led, and when asked if they voted in the last election they quickly respond no and chuckle at the absurdity of the question. If you so choose to silence yourself for one reason or another, you no longer have the right to complain about who is elected. You surrendered your right. For those who say they are “not into politics” and that is the reason why you don’t want to vote… Do you have no opinion on equal rights, gun control, reproductive rights, foreign policy, health care, immigration, education, social security, the environment? Just to name a few. Politics is not just election season and deciding who is our next president. Politics is how we interact with the world around us. It is how we interact with people at home, it dictates our rights, and allows us to dictate our leader. Politics is so much more than November 8, 2016. For those who say their vote “doesn’t matter” and that is the reason why you don’t want to vote… The voters in the Brexit decision thought their vote didn’t matter either. Then when the verdict was made, people regretted their vote and were shocked to find out that their voice was heard through their vote. Your vote is your voice; I cannot stress that enough. Do not silence yourself. For those who say this election is “choosing between the lesser of two evils” and that is the reason you don’t want to vote…That may be true, but you not voting doesn’t “stick it to the man” or show your aggravation towards the situation. It just silences you. It doesn’t enact change. Change happens because people do things. Not voting is not showing them, it’s just not showing up. You are doing nothing. If nothing else, voting at least gives you the right to complain if you do not agree with the newly elected official. Remember, if you don’t vote, you chose to silence yourself. So, shut up. No complaining from you. Everyone, the right to vote is a privilege whether you believe it or not. It wasn’t just handed to us. Generations of people struggled for this right, and other parts of the world are still fighting for it. So, the fact that you don’t want to take the time to educate yourself on the topics or wait in lines on the day of the polls is not an excuse to not vote. It’s pure laziness. Do not give up your voice. Higher turnout makes our democracy more representative. Show up. Be a part of that representation. In order to vote, you must register. People, registration ends in some states in a matter of days. If you do not register, your voice is gone. Do not silence yourself. Register. Vote. Show up. Speak your mind. Always, Molly |
AuthorJust a twenty-something attempting to create the illusion that I have a clue what's going on... Archives
May 2017
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