Waiting for Ike

I was a teenager when Alicia roared across the gulf coast, slamming into Galveston and eventually Houston. We lived much closer to the coast then and I don't think that I consciously understood what was about to happen as my parents scurried around making last minute preparations. I remember waking in the middle of the night to the frightening sound of the howling wind. Sleep would not be had on this night.

I will never forget the sight of the sky as it cleared just at day break. It was amazingly still with the bluest sky and puffiest white clouds. I was thankful that the hurricane was over. Then I was given the bad news by my parents, this was the eye of the hurricane and we had about 3o minutes before the winds would begin again...this time in the opposite direction.

After hurricane Alicia had come and gone, I remember be with out electricity for at least two weeks and possibly three. I also remember it being very hot. We suffered no damage to our property and no one was hurt. Back in those days, people did run from a storm...they hunkered down and rode it out. Looking back, I am glad we didn't evacuate as I am thankful for this memory.

Our plans for tomorrow are to go stay with our daughter in Katy. It's our intention to hunker down and have a hurricane party. Celebrating Hurricane Ike and mother nature's fury. It is my hope that we will have the same outcome as we did in Alica....a memory that will last a life time without any damage to property or life.

A Bond That Can Not Be Broken

One of the most memorable moments of my life occurred two days after your little brother was born. This is the day that you and your dad came to hospital to take us home. I was so anxious to see you that I was waiting at the elevators. When the doors opened you squealed, "Mommy!". All I could do is cry as I was overcome by emotion.

I remember being so worried about how you would accept this new little person into our family, especially once you figured out that he wouldn't be that much fun to play with. I was so worried in fact that I don't remember much more about this day.

My worries became reality over the next several months as you acted out your jealousy. As your brother grew older this jealousy turned into an all out sibling rivalry. Although, there were hints that the rivalry was just an act as you both would team up on me to get what ever you wanted at the time. As time when on, it was evident that you were protective of this little person that you were so jealous of just a few years ago. And in a blink of an eye...the two of you were allies. A bond had been formed. A bond that could not be broken by time or distance.

What I want my daughter to know

Recently, I was reading a blog (this one) and noticed that one of the labels used by this blogger was "what I want my daughter to know". Being a mother myself, I thought that this was a great idea!

Although my daughter is grown and moved away from home there are many things that I wish she knew. Things we would not have time to talk about. These could include personal things about me and our relationship as mother and daughter. It could also include practical advice... things that I have learned the hard way and wish to share to help her avoid having to learn these things the way that I did.

I think that the first thing that I want my daughter to know is that I am proud of her. I am completely amazed by her strength and her love of life.