[img]541|left|Carter Dewberry||no_popup[/img]At 4:30 this morning, I awoke to the sound of someone trying to break in through my back windows. Or at least I thought it was a person. Once fully coherent, however, I knew the pounding was from the sheets of rain being propelled sideways by the wind.
I have lived in my loft for nearly four years, and this morning was the first in which I feared my windows may actually break from the impact.
Back under the warmth of our comforter listening to the rolls of thunder travel east, my husband and I shared a few relieved words before he drifted back to sleep. I then lay awake thinking of the crisis in Japan, the unrest in Libya, the flash flood warnings for OC, and all the other craziness going on in today’s world. I vowed that today was the day for me to begin doing what I could to prepare for whatever may come my way.
I cleared my morning and got started. Buying water and new food (my last bag of canned goodies was set to expire in a few months), assembling a first aid kit, replacing batteries in flashlights… these were only some of the tasks on my list. (You can find the complete details here: http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/)
Unwelcome Reminder
On the way out of a store in the pouring rain, already mindful of the preciousness of my life, I passed by a woman surrounded by a crowd. When I inquired into what had happened, a nearby woman told me this person had just driven up in shock after having witnessed a driver running over a pedestrian in an intersection and dragging the poor soul four blocks before realizing what she had done. Did I emphasize CRAZY?!?
Once assessing that this shocked witness was surrounded by support and the ambulance was in transit for all parties (and that my presence was more of a hindrance than help), I carefully continued on my way.
I was – and continue to be – more thankful than ever that I took today to prepare myself for at least some of what may come my way. And while I know that there is no way to plan for every contingency, knowing that I have done at least what the government has recommended is a start. Tomorrow I will begin researching other possible pro-active measures. (A few come to mind immediately, e.g. self-defense tactics, updated home security system.)
As with my health, I know that taking the initiative in small ways can lead to huge gains when it counts. I hope that you, too, take the time to care in this way for yourself and your loved ones.
Ms. Dewberry, an accomplished cellist, completed her DMA in Chamber Music Performance from UCLA in December 2005. She received her MM in Cello Performance from UCLA in June 2002 and her B.M. in Cello Performance from Western Michigan University in April 1998. She also holds a B.A. in French with a minor in Women's Studies and Philosophy.
Her website is www.carterdewberry.com
She may be contacted at carter@carterdewberry.com
