It has been one of those eery golden days. You only know these if you have ever lived in a region where devastating weather was on the way, and would arrive in a day or two, but the weather on this particular day was so beautiful it seemed surreal. Such was the day we had today.
I didn’t sleep well last night, I was so afraid. My friend who had promised to come stay with me decided to leave town with her family leaving me alone. Scores of people were begging me to leave town. But despite the fact that a category 4 hurricane was headed straight for Wilmington there were more things to consider than that, things which few people understand and which make the decisions around this time very difficult. I did, however, carefully weigh everything including going through a horrible sleepless night where I finally wrote into Facebook at somewhere between 4 and 5 a.m calling out in tears and agony to anyone who might be there, I was so afraid. Finally, I slept. When I woke up at 7 I knew what I needed to do. I would be staying. Here is what I wrote to my dear Facebook friends today, and scores of dear ones had written to me, people who really took time and love, who cared, who were afraid for me, who wanted me to be okay, some wanting me to leave, others understanding why I couldn’t. I wrote to explain my decision…
“Oh Dear Sweet Friends…
First and foremost I want to thank all of you who have written kind, loving, supportive notes here. I have read most of them and will finish this evening now things have settled down. I am just home from finally being able to get Pugsley’s medication — it was delayed because traffic is already so bad getting out of town it took hours longer to get here than expected but I have it now and I am thanking God. He is 12, has a collapsed trachea, and when he was diagnosed with this condition a year ago June he was so bad the vet didn’t think I would have him another 6 months BUT he has done so remarkably well on the medication you wouldn’t know anything was wrong with him most of the time. However, strange people, animals he doesn’t know, etc. get him worked up, he starts coughing bad, and that could lead to a very bad outcome. I will NOT travel with him, go to a shelter full of strangers and animals, etc. I am staying at home and feel at peace with doing so. He and Delilah are counting on me and I on them. While not in an official capacity they are surely service dogs for me. I cannot be well without them by my side.
I was at the grocery store at 7:30 this morning and bought 15 gallon jugs of spring water. I already had several but I have done what was suggested. I have a small cabinet type freezer in the garage, You pour out, and save, a third of the water and then fill the freezer with the jugs, they freeze solid and keep things cold even if the power goes out for a time. I also have jugs in the refrigerator and freezer in the kitchen and plenty of water for the dogs and I. The tub will be filled to use buckets of water to flush toilets. I have meds for the dogs and I, food, drinks (seltzers, Zevia natural sodas and yes wine!) a whole case of 72 candles and candle holders as well as a large lantern that uses batteries and a good supply of backup batteries. Truly, I have done everything that I could possibly do and more.
This morning when I went out early for water I stopped back along my street and talked to neighbors. Almost without exception they are all staying including a dear 84 year old lady across the street who lived here in her house through Hazel, the worst hurricane on record here in 1954. Neighbors and I have exchanged phone numbers and will check on one another
At 4 am I was so scared. So many are saying YOU MUST LEAVE, and my dear friend I counted on to stay with me, who promised that she would, left. People must do as they see fit but it was a terrible blow. But at 4 am snuggled in my big recliner with my 2 babies, all cozy and safe, with them not afraid, I imagined being in a strange place, around strangers and other animals, sleeping on a hard floor, not knowing what important papers and other things to take. After crying and getting ill I knew that I had to stay at home. I am in a brick ranch house, I am not in a flood zone, neighbors are staying, I have done everything that I can to prepare, we have everything we need here and will be comfortable. For me, this is the best possible solution. I am 64, I have disabilities, I am agoraphobic, I have elderly dogs with health issues, and I can promise you that getting on the road to travel somewhere, or staying in a shelter, would be beyond what my dogs and I can manage. We will be here, at home. I am at peace with this.
I ask for your continued prayers because honestly not only do I believe in the power of prayer but I believe that with your continued prayers, and good thoughts, and love we will make it through. I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. I truly love you all.
May those of you in the path of the hurricane be safe. You are, of course, in my prayers as well.
Love,
Maitri 
“
And so I did what I needed to do today. I got out and got Pugsley’s medication and the last few things I needed from the store. My daughter came this morning and helped me get everything in off the front porch and the deck in back. Tomorrow the day will start, once again, perhaps looking like a lovely sunny day, but then the weather will start rolling in and by tomorrow night the early intimations of the hurricane to come will be seen and felt. By sometime between Thursday morning and Friday the hurricane is supposed to be here.
Right now it is just before 6:30 p.m. Family and friends have been calling. I am about to take the dogs out to the potty and get them their dinner. We will have a quiet evening. I may draw and paint if I am up to it, or read, or talk to friends. It is the calm before the storm, the weather patterns are closing in. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. For now, I am still here.
The Experiment ~A 365 Day Search For Truth, Beauty &
Happiness: Day 1 ~ Introduction To The Project
“Do or do not. There is no try.”
Yoda
It’s so good to hear from you Maitri. I stayed up late here wondering whether you’d be able to put up a blog post today, now I can go to bed knowing you’re safe and as well-prepared as anyone can be in this situation. It’s great to know you have the support of Rachel and your neighbours. Stay snug and warm and take very good care of yourself. Much love to you and the pugs and little Vincent, you and everyone in the path of this storm are in my prayers. xxx
Thank you so much dear Jenny. Your kind words, and prayers mean more to me than I can say. Blessings and love to you dearheart…
Dear Maitri,
I know the last 36 hours have been so difficult. Your decision making is sound although there are some that may not completely understand how much you had to consider. I trust that you know what is best and it sounds as if you are prepared. I send you more golden light to warm you and remind you that SO many people are praying for you. You are loved by so many. I will be watching for you whenever you can check in. (I hope you saw the message I sent you on Instagram. ❤️ )
Holding you up from afar.
Hello Dear Maggie,
Thank you so much for your continued love and support, and no I’m so sorry I didn’t see your note on Instagram, I’ve barely been on line today I’ve just been swamped, but I will look for it later. I’m getting ready to get off the computer and watch something with the pugs. I’m just so tired I cant hardly think straight.
I love you honey…
when IRMA was coming, and the papers said we were in the bull’s eye, and a bunch of people were boarding up their windows and leaving town, we stayed, and so did the neighbors on both sides of us. as it turned out, Irma swerved, and did not hit Tally at all. People had fled to Atlanta got smote by the hurricane. So you see, you have to follow your instinct and your own survival needs. And you have done just that. I surround you, and your neighbors, with courage and perseverance, and hope that you will have more golden days before you.
Dear Katya,
I’m so glad that Irma passed you by and you all were safe. Please pray for me that we too will be safe. The news is scary but I keep praying, I am as prepared as I can be, and hearing from all of you now is a big help. Thank you for being there honey…
M. xoxox
So sorry about your friend not staying with you- but it sounds like there will be many in your neighborhood so you all can look out for each other. You do sound well prepared. I grew up in a seashore town, and we did weather some doozy storms. It is, I think, scarier to people who have never experienced it. One of my mom’s sayings was “this, too, shall pass”. And I will add mine: “the waiting is the hardest part” (thank you, Tom Petty!) I’m praying the storm path will change, as they so often do, and miss you entirely. Hugs to you and the pugs!
Thank you so much dear Lorraine, and yes, the waiting is hard, and prayers that the storm will change it’s path are so appreciated and needed. Thank you for being there dearheart…
Three of my friends have partnered in prayer with me for you, Maitri, for all of Wilmington and all of the east coast. These are true prayer warriors. I reiterate my pray for you that I posted yesterday.
Thank you so much dear Marge, it is prayers that we need most of all now and I appreciate them more than I can say. I have seen the power of prayer do miraculous things. Please pray this storm away, that it may change it course and go out to sea, that we may all be safe. I have done all I can to prepare, now we wait and pray…
You have done what is needed to protect yourself as Florence sweeps your way. May she recognize a kindred spirit and spare you and yours. May she find compassion in her swirling strength and pass gently over all the good people in her path. Fear in the face of such power is healthy. You and your sweet canines will be surrounded by so much love. Thanks for keeping us informed.
Thank you so much dear Cathryn, your kind words mean so much to me, they are a blanket of comfort for me now. My little ones are here with me, we will hold tight to one another through it all. And I will be here daily blogging as long as I am able, as long as we have power. Everyone’s comments to me here just now are a tremendous comfort and make me feel less alone. Thank you so much for being here…
Dear Maitri, I am so so sorry your friend left. I cannot imagine how that felt for you. I read your plea for help this morning when I got up and I didn’t know what to say except surrounding you with Love and Angels. Yes, I do believe in Miracles, Prayers and Angels, Guides and all manner of Spiritual help. I kept checking on you all day and finally read you were ok and doing what you can. My thoughts will be with you as I will only visualize angels around you, no fear.
They are saying once the storm comes in it is forecast to turn and come west toward us. We will get lots of rain and some wind but nothing to worry about that I have heard. We do need to fill up on gas tomorrow and see what if anything else we need. No fear for us either.
How wonderful for you that you are surrounded by so much love from all your friends here.
Much Love, Jean
Thank you so much sweet Jean,
Your prayers and support mean so much to me, more than you could possibly know. I am holding fast, in my heart, to the trust and belief that prayers will see me through, will see us all through. I am trying to stay calm and take care of us here. I have done all of the preparedness that I can. Now I will be praying all day, writing here and to friends on Facebook, staying in touch. Just being as connected as possible so as to feel not alone through as much of this as I can is going to be the biggest help now.
I love you dear Jean and am sending you warm gentle hugs. You get gas and water and whatever you might need as well if the storm is to come your way. May all be blessed and safe…
Love,
Maitri
It’s so good to hear from you today, Maitri and to know you have made the right decision for you and that you are all stocked up and well prepared. Like everyone else I am sending you prayers for safe passage through the next few days. Hopefully your power will stay on and you’ll be able to keep in touch with us.
💜
Thank you so much dear Moira, I appreciate your prayers, love and support. It means so much right now. And yes I too pray that I can keep power, at least as long as possible. Being alone that is one of the scariest things. Keep those prayers coming. We need them now so much…
Praying for you and all in Florence’s path, that you all will be safe and well, and punching fear in the throat. Love to you and pugs. xoxo
Thank you dear Trece, we need the prayers so much right now. Bless you for sending them…