Schuyler and I are safe…. better than safe! There are times the Universe inspires us to travel and the moment when the Weather Channel suggested that Irma MIGHT hit Tampa as a Cat 4 hurricane became one of those moments!

We of course depend on our electrical chair lift to get Schuy up and down the stairs of the townhouse so the idea of losing the ability to get her up and down — much less quickly if need be — made the decision to evacuate a no-brainer. There were no hotels to be found so I made the committed decision to visit a relative at her lovely home in Baton Rouge! Looks like Schuy was about to cross another city off of her bucket list: New Orleans. I downloaded Gasbuddy and confirmed that there were indeed stations along our path that had gas. At noon on Saturday, we were loaded and ready. Into the little green hornet and onto our spontaneous adventure courtesy of this windbag Irma.

I am happy to share that there was a beautiful camaraderie among those who we saw evacuating. There was a lot of traffic but not so much that we couldn’t travel at a normal 70 MPH speed. In the small towns that we passed through, there was typically only 1 gas station with gas so lines were long. Human compassion on the other hand was high. Some of the locals were grilling barbecue and sharing it with some of those waiting for gas. There were a lot of smiles and laughter while drivers waited patiently in line. Heading into Florida were streams and streams of utility and military trucks. There was an energy and a sense of community that was palpable.

Schuy and I stopped for some Vietnamese Pho at a truckstop in Panama City. (Yes, you read that right — a truckstop that specializes in Vietnamese food — imagine that!) The wait staff were full of Southern charm and that beautiful drawl. The restaurant was filled with all sorts of people — all income levels, all nationalities, all ages. It was actually quite special — a moment that I will remember forever.

Schuy and I laughed and chatted as we drove. Part of the way I was listening to Ken Courtright podcasts. The other distance I was rocking out to my driving tunes. Schuy entertained herself by reading the Steve Jobs biography. Frodo and Tinkerbell slumbered lazily in the back on top of the suitcases. The miles ticked by.

So today, I sit writing this post in the lovely sitting room of my dear friend/ relative Charlene. I’m staring out at her idyllic pool and waterfall with a gorgeous wooded background. I hear the lapping of the waterfall and the constant sound of the nighttime crickets.

Today, Schuy, Charlene and I celebrated life with the pulse of New Orleans. The streets and restaurants were buzzing with the laughter and joy of fellow evacuees. Beignets at Cafe Du Monde. Oysters at the Oyster Bar on Royal. A few stops in the quaint little shops and some pralines later, it was time to return back to Charlene’s home. Traffic heading back to Florida was bumper to bumper so we will stay put for another day or so.

This little excursion became a personal life lesson for me. I could hunker down and feel trapped and afraid — worried about being unable to help Schuy escape if need be. OR I could relax into the spontaneity of this impromptu “invitation from Irma” to get out and explore the world some more. The decision that felt the most empowering to me was to create an unexpected vacation instead of accepting the inevitable approach of this storm.

I couldn’t be more elated that dear Irma somehow spared so many areas. My heart goes out to the areas where her wrath became deadly. I applaud everyone who dug down deep and made what was their own version of their empowered choice. Sometimes our most empowered choices are to face the storms that are headed our way — and to rejoice in the euphoria when we survive them. Sometimes the empowered choice becomes the moment when you realize that there are paths that keep you out of the storm’s way — if you simply will be open and willing to see them.

There are no rights and wrongs — just the opportunity to live our lives fully and powerfully. Isn’t this a magical little life experience and aren’t we an amazing little species!

Wishing you much light after the storm!!

In Joy,

Meridith