Tropical Storm Ike Hits the Queen City
theophilus September 18th, 2008
I don’t know what’s going on but, over the past week, I’ve noticed that I’ve been getting a great number of reads on my July post concerning the Brown Scapular. Interesting. I wonder if Mary is doing some calling.
I’m finally back on track after the Great Queen City Blackout of 2008. Sunday afternoon, Tropical Storm Ike roared through Cincinnati. Tropical storms are not supposed to hit the Ohio Valley. Except for a week or so in August, we can never be confused with the tropics.
In any case, between noon and six o’clock, unprecedented winds blew through and 90% of the region lost power. Only 50% were back online as of yesterday morning. The rest should be back on today and tomorrow, unless there is a structural problem with the lines. We were lucky and had our power back on early Tuesday morning. For a while, gas stations, stores, restaurants, traffic lights, all were left without power.
And, believe it or not, I feel blessed by the experience. I lost about 50 shingles, the top of a lamp post, my patio table, and the contents of my refrigerator/freezer - but that is all. While others were faced with the loss of ancient trees, sections of roofs, and siding, I was only inconvenienced by not having access to all of the things that electrical power miraculously provides to us but that we nevertheless take for granted (most notably, my morning coffee).
In return, I received some non-TV, non-video game time with my wife and kids. (We actually played cards and other games). I got some sleep. I got to appreciate the quiet. I took note that God blessed us with a full moon and clear skies this week.
I was extremely appreciative when I was able to find a working gas station on Monday when I had an empty tank (I was in an honest-to-goodness gas line); when we were able to find an open Meier’s to get dry foods and batteries; and when we were able to find an open U.S. Bank so we could get some cash (both of us were tapped out). Before we found the bank, we found one of the few McDonald’s open for lunch and I was appreciative when my credit card worked. We waited in line a half-hour for McDonald’s, which is my least favorite place to eat but it was one of the better burgers I’ve had.
I laughed on Sunday night when I saw a little Chinese restaurant open with the line out the door. I laughed at myself when I realize that we tried to get a T-ball game started on Sunday afternoon with the field looking like a dust bowl and the poor kids on my team struggling to stand up against the wind (we quickly gave up).
I was appreciative that our water still worked and that it was hot. I was appreciative when I looked at the front page of USA Today, saw the devastation in Texas, and realized they faced winds and rain twice the strength of what hit us, and that they would be without power for a month and would have to rebuild, not just repair.
I was appreciative that I got to teach my kids about the pleasures and privileges they enjoy and how lucky we are. I was appreciative of the lantern type light that my mother-in-law had just given my son as a toy, which made for a perfect light for our bedroom. I was appreciative when I found a car power cord for my Blackberry. I was thankful that the power went out in the middle of another Bengal loss and that I didn’t have internet access during Monday’s financial markets meltdown.
I took note that this experience came during the feasts of the Triumph of the Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows. I took special note of the meditations I read concerning our attachment to wordly things.
I am appreciative that despite 90% of the community being dark, no one took advantage of others through criminal activity. I am appreciative that roofers and contractors, who have been hard hit by the housing bust, have some work to do (although there is a great deal of ancedotal evidence of price gouging on projects).
God sends us reminders sometimes when he wants to get our attention. Somehow, I believe this blackout was such a reminder. In the dark of Sunday and Monday night, I was reminded that there is only one thing that matters – our faith in God. Everything else can be taken away, but as long as we truly and wholly believe in our Eternal Father, everything is right with our little corner of the world.
