Mentally Exhausted - even from a Distance!

I think you all reading here know that the main person who writes this blog post is Becky - and I am living in the country of Poland, while the rest of my family is in the states. My mom and twin sister, Rachael, and family and our oldest son, Jeremiah, and family are in central Florida. Then, I have two kids in SC (upstate) and one in VA.

Hurricane Helene went through both FL and the part of SC where my kids are not long ago. My daughter in VA wrote that they missed pretty much all of the mess but on Saturday during a bright sunny day a power pole nearby suddenly fell over. She figured the pole thought they were feeling left out!

My family (2 brothers and my kids) in SC were without power for pretty much a week. One brother still has no power. They sent pictures of downed tress and all kinds of damage wrecking havoc in their neighborhoods.

Because we’ve traveled around the NC area where at least some of the damage is I’ve been watching You Tube videos about the tremendous loss of life and damage to houses, structures, roads and railroad tracks.

I’ve also read about supplies and actions happening in that area.

I’ve watched videos of people telling of seeing family members die.

So, while I’m far away from all the crazyness - yes, I’m exhausted.

The emotional toll is real. Trying to keep up with the family and the news of the dramatic weather along with being concerned about my mom who is living alone there in central Florida has meant that my emotions and stamina are being stretched. Tears are pretty close to the top at almost any given moment. I don’t go around crying, naturally, but when I see something emotional relating to the hurricane, it’s pretty easy for moisture to come to my eyes.

When I watch the descruction of the landscape of NC, it feels as bad as any war zone. The stories are horrific and my heart goes out to these people!

Going without power for a day is hard but a week or more is worse yet! Floridians are somewhat used to hurricanes and subsequent tornado watches/warnings, but what these people had happen is just beyond imagination for where they live in the states.

So, I’ve been working with a heavy heart since Helene went through.

And now, as I write this, another hurricane is forming and preparing to hit the west coast of Florida yet again.

Now Milton may very well do damage to Florida where my mom and sister are. Thank the Lord they are 40 miles inland - but Greenville SC and western NC are both very much more than 40 miles inland and looks how strong those winds were.

Thankfully we know that God is in control - and of that I have confidence.

Knowing that does not alleviate my heavy heart for the suffering in the US.

I’m encouraged when I hear of neighbors helping neighbors. I am saddened when I hear about looting or self-important people hindering the volunteer effort!

As I’ve been working on charity quilts, I can’t help but think of all the people in NC, TN, GA and SC as well as FL who are going to need extra blankets/quilts bedding in order to help them get through the winter (Floridians don’t them as much as other places) as they struggle without basic heat/electricity/infrastructure.

I know quilters all over the USA will help once they know the best way to get their precious quilts to the places that will value them.

On that note, I’d encourage you to NOT SEND quilts to that area until you have made contacts that you are sure will watch out for them (as we did with the quilts you all sent us for Ukraine).

I met up with a woman who sent her quilt from FL up north somewhere after a natural disaster a few years ago and ended up finding out her quilt was shipped off in a box of used clothing to another continent due to how much was given - they had too much - so had to move it on out to a completely different continent!

She was livid and so upset she said she would never help that kind of effort again (with quilts).

A non quilter will value your quilt about like a blanket!

In that case, it is better to spend $20 or $30 and buy a blanket!

I am sure that many of you have either helped or will help with recovery. It’s just how you all are!

Let’s continue to pray for people there.

If you are one of the ones affected, I trust you and yours are safe.

Those of us on the other part of the are impacted! Just know we are thinking and praying for you all!

And now you know.

Thank you so much for coming along with me on this journey!

Have a great day wherever you are reading this.

Becky PetersenComment