Hurricane Ike

One thing about living in Houston - we definitely have our share of hurricanes! Our newest visitor will be here soon, Hurricane Ike. The lines at the gas stations are starting to pour into the streets. The grocery stores are full of people stocking up on supplies for their evacuation trips or for their homes as they stay to brave the winds and rain.

There are several storms that I remember. Alicia, when I was a little girl. I remember my parents taping up the windows. When she hit my brothers and I watched the trees writhe in the wind. Allison, because she flooded the entire Texas Medical Center. I remember my aunt who worked overtime at the hospital caring for patients and making them as comfortable as possible. The power stayed out for days and the buildings became uncomfortably hot. Katrina. My parents don't live far from the Astrodome, so I drove by and saw swarms of people brought in from Lousiana. It was a heart-breaking site. Imagine everything you have left in only a black trash bag. I remember seeing people with the wristbands at Target. They shopped for necessities. Underwear, socks, toothbrushes, soap, food. Instantly you knew they had gone through the horrific aftermath of the storm. Then there was Rita. Although she didn't do as much damage as most thought, it was the evacuation that became the nightmare. Today I still hear people's stories of being in the car for over 24 hours, just to get 200 miles away from Houston.

Everyone please be smart and be prepared this weekend! I pray that everyone stays safe and dry :)