I'm Back-- and Lucky Too

Eighteen days, 1100 miles, and 6 states later I have returned to work. Need I say more? My wanderlust sated, I now get back to the business of work, rested and eager in a way, as work provides a schedule to our lives. Even in Florida one can see the creeping signs of Fall slowly appearing; the sun is setting much earlier, football occupies most of the sports section, and people are starting though not completely-- to breath a sigh of relief regarding hurricane season.

It was just a year ago this past week that PinF was involved in the challenges, sacrifices, and awe that only a hurricane can present. 5 days with no power, gasoline, ice, or supermarkets. I realize now how easy we got off. Sure it was tough; roof tiles needed replacing, pools needed to be cleaned and yards needed clearing--still it was nothing compared to the poor souls of Missisippi and Louisiana.

I had the good fortune to hang with two "refugees" this holiday weekend who by chance happened to be on vacation in Greece while this calamity occured. They arrived to the news that there house was not flooded but rather under water, as such it was a total loss. It makes you realize how fragile any of our live's really are. We did things that tens of thousands of their fellow New Orleanian's couldn't do-- we ate good meals, slept comfortably, drank good wine and went to the beach. Still the tragedy was never far from us, as they were prone to moments of utter despair. Yet through it all their spirit to return never wavered, nor did their insistance that they would rebuild and get on with their live's.

It seems that so often we look at the news with such a sense of disconnect at the many troubled people of the world who are suffering in varying degrees due to famine, earthquakes, war, and floods. When was the last time you ever heard anyone refer to an American as a "refugee", yet here we were witnessing the despair and death of far too many of our fellow Americans. It really makes you think about all you've got, and how we so often take for granted the small and easily forgotten blessings of the mundane and repetitive details of our daily lives.