Preparations

As I write this, Hurricane Elsa has been downgraded.  It has yet to cross Cuba and might yet gain speed as it makes its way north toward the US.  Where or when it will hit has meteorologists guessing.   It’s that time of year again, for sure.   We hope that most people heed warnings and evacuate if necessary or make precautions. Living in Florida, we see signs for hurricane preparedness all the time.  Companies that sell and install windows tout hurricane-proof rating strength; tree companies will trim "widow-makers" for a fee.  One mayor says that she consistently warns her people to be ready in an hour to leave home-  bags packed with important documents, water, medicine and food for Fido. When I was young, the code words issued by mom or dad that "company was coming" meant to get the home ready:  empty the overflowing kitchen trash bin, clean the bathroom, vacuum the foyer and gussy up a bit.   Years later I ask myself why it took visitors to force us to make the house nicer. The body and psyche cannot live in a "what if" mode all the time- the stress would eventually take its toll and possibly lead to worse problems later on.  And yet, there's something about the 20/20 vision of hindsight that seems to get lost on us.  I wonder if we sometimes redact yesterday's memories in order to avoid making the changes necessary for quality living today.  If this is you, what are you waiting for?  Do what you need to do to live the life you want today.  Why wait for a warning, a doctor’s words, the death of a loved one or some other omen.  You will be so happy you acted now in clear skies than when you did so because you were forced to.