STORM, UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS   
 

Gretchen Christopher © 2006

 

DESPITE OUR BEING IN THE NEWS FOR OUR WEATHER, THIS HAS BEEN MY BEST DECEMBER, EVER! It began with my Survivor Sister Sonja Christopher's arrival from California and four family celebrations in less than 48 hours. The following weekend was my Parade of Lights Party; music, laughter and beauty as we watched the Parade of Lighted Ships sail by my deck. What happened next is accounted for below. December ends with a warm and wonderful New Year's Eve gathering of family and friends at my daughter Kimari and son-in-law Chris's. January will be putting on the finishing touches for FEBRUARY CD RELEASE of Gretchen's SWEET SIXTEEN! (SUITE 16).

 

AND HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED, IN BETWEEN:

 

How good life is, even with 78 MPH winds, no electricity, no running water, no phones. Kind of makes one realize that we're not isolated from the distant reality of Katrina. (BTW, people still are suffering there and in need of our support. I've pledged a percentage of my upcoming CD, Gretchen's SWEET SIXTEEN! (SUITE 16) . Friends and Fans wishing to contribute in this way may hear sound clips at https://www.thefleetwoods.com/sweet16CD.html

 

Following account is in CAPS for RELIEF OF BLURRY EYES AND EASY READING (I'M NOT SHOUTING :o)

 

I'M VERY HAPPY BUT QUITE TIRED, HAVING HAD LITTLE SLEEP THE LAST TWO NIGHTS. I SLEPT AT MY DAUGHTER KIMARI'S.  SHE HAD PHONED, SINCE HER YOUNGEST, ALMOST-22-MONTH-OLD LILLI, WAS SOBBING, "I MISS GRAMMY!", AND SO MY PRESENCE WAS REQUESTED, FIRST FOR A VISIT, THEN TO STAY FOR DINNER WITH KIMARI AND HER HUSBAND AND TWO LITTLE GIRLS, AND, WITH THE ELECTRICAL LIGHTS FLICKERING AND A STORM PREDICTED, I WAS INVITED TO STAY THE NIGHT. 

 

WE ALL FOUND SLEEP ELUSIVE WITH THE ROAR OF WINDS UP TO 78 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CRASH OF A TREE INTO THE HOUSE, A LIMB GOING THROUGH THE ROOF OF THE ATTACHED GARAGE AND ANOTHER SMALL ONE THROUGH THE METAL ROOF OF THE SELF-CONTAINED CAMPER WHICH MIGHT HAVE PROVIDE A WARM SHOWER, WHEN THE MAIN HOUSE WAS DEPRIVED OF ALL ELECTRICITY, WATER, ETC. (THE DENT IN THE TOP OF MY CAMRY AND BROKEN TAIL LENS ARE NEGLIGIBLE, AND MY SON-IN-LAW IS MYSTIFIED HOW IT ESCAPED SEVERE DAMAGE, WITH FLYING LIMBS LANDING ALL AROUND IT!)

 

"NANA" (MY BEAUTIFUL 97 YEAR OLD MOTHER) AND HER CAREGIVER JUDY WERE INVITED TO JOIN US FOR THE SECOND NIGHT, THEIR BEING OUT OF ELECTRICITY, TOO, BUT OUR AT LEAST HAVING THE HEAT OF THE WOOD STOVE AT KIMARI'S. 

 

I VENTURED BACK HOME, JUST TO ASCERTAIN THAT NO TREE HAD FALLEN ON MY HOUSE, THOUGH I HAD TO PARK BLOCKS AWAY AND WALK IN, AS TREES AND POWER LINES WERE LYING ACROSS THE ROAD. IN A NEIGHBORING YARD, ONE HUGE TREE HAD FLATTENED FOUR VEHICLES IN A ROW! MERCIFULLY, AT MY PLACE, THE FIRS (FOR WHICH IT'S NAMED) HAD REMAINED STANDING. MY PISCES FISH WERE BENEATH THE ICE OF THEIR FROZEN POND. THE DECK WAS LIKE A SKATING RINK, THOUGH THE THERMOMETER SAID 38 DEGREES, INSIDE AND OUT. NO RUNNING WATER, BUT TOILETS WERE NOT FROZEN, PIPES NOT BROKEN.

 

I MADE SURE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS (DARK LIKE ALL ELSE) WERE TURNED OFF SO THEY WOULDN'T SURGE WHEN ELECTRICITY RETURNS. I PACKED OUT MY POWERBOOK COMPUTER, A CHANGE OF CLOTHES, AND FROZEN STEAKS TO ADD TO THE FAMILY LARDER, AND A NON-ELECTRIC PHONE WHICH MIGHT WORK AT KIMARI'S (WHERE EVEN CELL PHONES WERE OUT OF RANGE). I FILLED THE CAR TANK AND 5, 2, AND 1 GALLON CANS WITH $60 WORTH OF GAS (IN CASE I LATER CHOSE TO USE THE GENERATOR A FRIEND HAD INSTALLED FOR ME -- OR CONTRIBUTE TO MY SON'S IF I ACCEPTED THE INVITATION TO STAY THERE WITH HIM, HIS WIFE AND MY THREE LITTLE "GRAMMY AWARDS"); THEN I DROVE ACROSS TOWN TO DELIVER THE PHONE TO KIMARI. 

 

HER PLANNED CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR "MOM'S CLUB" WAS CANCELLED, AND ALL HER PREPARATIONS WENT TO PROVIDE US WITH A MARVELOUS SPAGHETTI DINNER BY CANDLELIGHT, HER HUSBAND CHRIS, HEATING IT ALL ON THE BARBEQUE GRILL OUT ON THE DECK AND LIGHTING MYRIAD CANDLES IN THE HOUSE FOR A ROMANTIC FESTIVE AIR.

 

SO MUCH LOVE AND WARMTH AND HAPPINESS, OUR ALL BEING TOGETHER, AND NANA SO ENJOYING THE SIGHT OF HER TWO GREAT GRANDDAUGHTERS PLAYING WITH ME, CHASING AND DANCING AND RUNNING ME HAPPILY RAGGED.

 

THESE ARE THE MEMORIES I WANT TO FILL MY CONSCIOUSNESS WITH TONIGHT, NOW THAT MOM'S ELECTRICITY HAS BEEN RESTORED -- THOUGH NOT MY DAUGHTER'S, OR SON'S OR MY FORMER HUSBAND'S (WHERE WE ALL CELEBRATED THANKSGIVING AND THE KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAD DINNER TONIGHT) NOR MINE. I'VE BROUGHT MOM BACK TO PANORAMA CITY, TAKEN HER TO THEIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT, PROVIDED, PREPARED AND ENJOYED OUR DINNER TOGETHER, HELPED HER GET READY AND TUCKED HER INTO BED.

 

NOW'S MY MOMENT TO RELAX WITH FRIENDS AND FANS AND PLUNGE INTO THE 1319 UNREAD EMAILS.

 

HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY HOLIDAY REPORT. IT KIND OF MAKES ME REALIZE, SUCH THINGS DON'T HAPPEN JUST OUT THERE, BUT RIGHT HERE IN MY OWN LITTLE TOWN (OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON), WHERE THE LOCAL PAPER'S HEADLINE READS, "60,000 IN THE DARK" -- AND I'M ONE OF THEM, BUT MY SOUL IS LIGHT. AND I WOULDN'T CHANGE THESE MEMORIES FOR ANYTHING.

 

SWEET DREAMS,

GRETCHEN

The following is a response from Bob Brewer, a survivor of Hurricane Katrina (who has kept me apprised of it, since the beginning).

On Dec 29, 2006, at 3:46 PM, Bob Brewer wrote:
 

Happy New Year Gretchen

I sat mesmerized as I read your harrowing tales. These storms are just down right frightening as they are occurring. Mother Nature does not always have a sense of humor when she unleashes her wrath on us.

Although you and your family suffered trials and tribulations as a result of your "Katrina" you persevered and prevailed with the nurturing support from your family. And, yes, life is good!

As your tale unfolded, I was pleased to read at the end that, although still suffering from the inconvenience of no lights, you still had the "light" in your soul, as well as your warm memories of how you and your family reacted to each other during a stressful time.

I'm glad that you all made it safely. I just hope you all return to normal as quickly as possible. We so get used to our conveniences, don't we?

You mentioned that you did not drink because you wanted to maintain your school girl figure. That reminds me that I have not seen a recent photo of you. If you have one to share, perhaps taken with your family or in other circumstances, please share one. In the spirit of that sharing, here is a photo taken of Barbara and me taken at Christmas Dinner. Like you, we try, as best we can, to maintain our fitness.

Thank you for continuing to think and be concerned about those on the Mississippi Gulf Coast who continue to need assistance and hope and prayer. Church groups from all over the United States are continuing to pledge 10 years of support to our area to assist us in rebuilding.

Continued good luck on your CD Gretchen. And I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year and continued success.

 

Warm Regards Bob