Post Ian, Day Day 4

430am.

Waiting for the headache to ease off.

Eating some cinnamon Chex.

Thinking I should have something profound to share but knowing I hit a wall yesterday evening.

But then, yall have or are going to hit a wall soon, too.

It probably won’t be something big. It will probably be nothing but, in the moment, feel like everything.

You sat through 12 hours of a hurricane, got right to work with cleanup after, have helped others, fed your family, searched for gas, seen the devastation first hand… and you lose it because the zipper gets stuck on the suitcase.

Can I tell you, that’s normal? Let yourself have that moment. And a few thoughts to go with that…

Take care of you. If you’re going to get through this, you have to take care of your own basic needs that, are honestly too easy to overlook right now but, are so important.

1. Drink lots of water. For real, stay hydrated.

2. Eat. You know, meals and stuff.

3. Sleep. Take naps if the nights are hard.

4. Take all your vitamins and medicines. Nows not the time to slack.

5. Talk to people. Friends, family, a counselor. Don’t hold everything in. Digest what’s happening in a safe way.

6. Give yourself and others grace. You are all doing the best you can.

7. Take time to look at all the blessings. God is in the details here. The way a neighbor you’ve never met walks over to help. The prayers said for you and over you. The hordes of people flowing into the state to help. All of your family and friends that are safe. Maybe even start a gratitude journey and really notice and record all the things you have to be thankful for during the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

If you are reading this, I pray that God blesses you with His peace and rest, and a heart of gratitude. In Jesus name, Amen.