Sarah Leaving

Record for August 13 # 7

 

Hello,

 

With no power, heat, and no easy way to store food, Sarah and the girls thought they should leave. Sarah learned that it would cost a lot more money to change the flight to her brother’s as she had originally planned. Because her phone service was so limited when she was able to reach her husband in DC, she had him check on renting a car for the 4.5 hour drive. That was secured and she was leaving the day after Leroy was in the emergency room. We were both comfortable with her doing that because Leroy was so much better. Like his old self! Earlier, I overheard Sarah tell one of her siblings, “Dad looks like an old, old man.”

 

In the morning we fussed around about how to fill the prescription, but could not reach any pharmacies on the phone. Just going back to the hospital seemed like the best course. On the way we passed our smaller, local Hy-Vee store. Leroy said, “There are cars in the parking lot, I’ll bet the pharmacy is open too.”

 

We went in and got the script filled. So grateful! Someone had the plan to open this store, keeping it powered by a generator in a semi. It is especially important in our neighborhood, because some people who use it do not have cars.

 

Our downstairs friends had driven 39 miles away and got gas for the car and ice for storing food. They shared two bags. What a gift! It is amazing what suddenly becomes so important.

 

Sarah, the girls and I headed off to the airport to pick up the rental car. On the way Sarah noticed that a gas station close to the airport had its lights on. Not many cars were there. “Can I stop and get gas?” I pleaded.

 

“Of course,” Sarah said.

 

I had less than 80 miles of driving left. We pulled in noticing that one pump did not have any cars by it. There were short lines elsewhere. Sarah got out and checked the empty pump. It worked so we just drove right up. Such a relief!

 

At the airport I again charged up devices including a rechargeable lantern. Sarah got her car and we drove each car back to the house where they had lunch before heading off to Brian’s house.

 

Our downstairs friends had another family member who brought in a lot of ice. Because my refrigerator was emptiest I stored five big bags of ice. Late in the afternoon our power came on. Oh happy day!  It was not long before we learned that only some of the houses had gotten power. We were an island of power in a sea on no power. Both joy and guilt warred in our souls.

 

I went around to neighbors asking if they would like ice. One woman almost cried because in town you could not get ice. If some came in, people bought it right away. I found three other neighbors who needed ice. They were quite happy to get it. I also gave them some the next days until the ice was all gone.

 

I did a lot of just wandering around after this storm. When I would see someone outside they almost always wanted to talk about their experiences. Many of them would start the conversation by saying, “We are okay.” This situation connected us in a new way. Blessing in disguise?

 

Paula