Comfort of the Creature vs. Comfort of the Creator
A week ago, we made sure we had enough food and water for several days, that the batteries for the battery-powered fan were charged, that the dog had all food and water, and that it had tags. , had confirmed that they had a cat named Bindi. Fresh toilets and plenty of food and water.
We went to sleep and awoke from Wednesday night's slumber to find that a different kind of storm would roll in Thursday morning. Hurricane Helen was headed toward Florida with only hot water to fuel her along the way. Helen struck as a Category 4, but what would 140 mph and 155 mph be when such powers collide in a place where human life exists?
We live in Savannah, Georgia, and we knew the rain and wind would come from the outer bands. Both are always prepared. Thursday night, when we went to sleep, we found that we were more likely to wake up and our creature comforts were gone.
1:27 a.m. was the time the camera recorded it going off, and it wasn't long before Jay Wade was woken up as the room became hot and stuffy. I'm 51 years old, so hot flashes are normal and I use a window air conditioner to combat the oncoming heat waves. However, these were not hot flashes, and there was no longer an air conditioner to prevent the sudden increase in hormone influx.
As I lay in bed in the dark with a battery-powered fan running, I could hear the wind blowing and branches cracking. Two of the most guttural groans were heard. You're almost playing a game trying to guess what that unique sound is. I later found out that it was a root ball torn from the ground of a small tree in my backyard.
Fortunately, three large pine trees were removed last year. There is no doubt in either of our minds that they too would have been uprooted. A large limb straddled the branches of a large oak tree in the front yard, and if it had fallen, it would have been lying on top of our car. A large branch of a pecan tree in the backyard lies parallel to the fence. Walking around the garden, I realized how lucky we were.
We spent the weekend without our comfort creatures, singing and laughing and telling stories. My son Matthew and his father, who has been my best friend since we were 12, were visiting. On Sunday, my sons' power was restored and we spent a comfortable night at their house. By Tuesday, we were back to living comfortably and even had internet.
We had fresh water, a gas water heater and a gas stove, so we were able to cook all the time. Hurricane Savannah did not require a boil warning. The creature comforts me again.
It wasn't until I turned on the news that I realized they weren't so lucky, 497 miles away in Asheville, North Carolina. Parts of the interstate were washed away and entire downtowns were submerged under water. The beautiful Biltmore was also damaged.
My mind flashed back to my uncles, aunts, and cousins. When I called my father, he said he hadn't heard from my sister. So I ended up texting my cousin in California. I was relieved to know that I had received a message that he was safe. I also received a short email yesterday.
My aunt is an amazing person and probably a survivalist. She could probably live for decades in the forest, seeking just the right amount of plants and insects to sustain herself. The Creator comforts. I often wonder what life would have been like if we had spent more time together instead of just having our hands full.
Perhaps I see her romantically? When I was a teenager, I remember driving from my hometown of Jackson to my father's house in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was wearing running pants and running shoes, and I had never met a woman who was a runner before. As my mother's family was running, something was chasing them! In high school, I started running, and I was probably imitating her in the back of my mind.
As I sit writing this, surrounded by the comforts of creation, I am reminded that there are many people, including my dear aunt, who are surrounded by the comforts of the Creator rather than the comforts of creation. I noticed.
I lived my days without the comforts of the Creator and always tried to keep in mind the positives of the comforts of the Creator that surrounded me. How cool and refreshing the wind is after a storm of that size! It was really fun having my adult children here. How much fun the dogs had running around in the wet backyard! The coolness of the battery fan when I sleep is one of my only comforts. And that wonderful cold shower! I took a hot shower and towards the end I turned off the hot water and enjoyed the coolness. It's now a ritual for me because it's an incredible feeling.
This experience has made me more focused on the comfort of the Creator and perhaps even more motivated to increase the number of edible plants we grow. Last year I planted turmeric and ginger. I just bought two dragon fruit plants a few weeks ago. We are planting some herbs on our back deck. It is my heart's desire now to turn my backyard into an edible oasis.
COVID-19 has taken away my career in the automotive industry and downsized my business. This storm has caused us to further consider how we want to live the rest of our lives. Being sustainable is more important than the materialistic environment that surrounds us. Such material things may disappear when the wind blows. Creature comforts disappeared in a split second. We were left surrounded by the comforts of our creators.
Our cameras are backed up and the time we left has been erased. The air conditioner keeps me cool, and I have a lot of laundry to do. I have Morning Joe on the TV and in my hand. My aquarium has running water and I'm writing this on a laptop connected to the internet. Creatures are comfortable.
My writing ends here. I left with one thought: What can I do to bring more of the Creator's comfort into my life? The comforts of the Creator, such as the edible plants you dream of growing, the walks in the sunshine you are about to take, and the clean water that quenches your thirst.
It's great to experience creature comforts, but the comforts of our Creator are what truly sustain us.
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