Maritza Martínez Mejía, AWA: My Twelve Days of Irma

My Twelve Days of Irma by Maritza M. Mejia@2017

Map plotting the track and intensity of the storm
according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

When a strong Hurricane passed by your house, city, state, and several countries is not an easy experience. Here is my daily log before, during, and after the storm.

By Maritza M. Mejia@2017

Day 1: In case anyone was wondering, we are projected to be in Hurricane Irma's path, but we decided to stay in Florida. The exodus in the highways was impressed. We are ready, house with shutters, and supplies for a week or more. If we're not online after Sunday, you know why! My thoughts and prayers to ALL in the path. Make wise decisions, follow the expert’s instructions, and don’t risk your life during or after the storm. Don't forget your pets. Blessings!

Day 2: Shutters up! House protected, can food and water ready for a week. My adorable cat is confused…She looked up me like saying, What is going on?... No sun today! She is double her portions. Poor baby!

Day 3: Good morning my friends, we are fine, prepared, praying, and ready to battle Hurricane Irma. Floridians, be safe, and ready to recovery. Don't panic, read, cook, entertain your children, comfort your pets, and follow official instructions. I love you crazy Florida.

Day 4: Good morning, I'm glad we were able to sleep over night. Heavy rains woke me up twice, but nothing different from other South Florida summer's storms with tornado alerts. The howling of the wind was scary, but made me reflect on all the damage we are causing to Mother Earth, is like she was complaining. The hardest part will be in three hours. If I don't reply, you know why!( Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts. We are fine. Please, keep praying for those who lost their houses in the Caribbean Islands. Have a blessed Sunday!

Day 5: No power, phones, internet, TV, total silence after the storm. The furious winds and tremendous rains lasted 12 hours. We are disconnected from the outside world, friends, and family. We don't know the damages around the house, neighborhood, our city, but we are ready to help recovery. The value of life over the material possessions were tested. It was long five days eating more than usual, managing fear, anxiety, and stillness, but we survived Hurricane Irma together with my love ones. Thank you for following the progress of this adventure, for all your prayers, comments and concerns. I Love you!

Day 6: I lost sense of time. I now, we were busy preparing for two days, waiting inside our house for three, and one listening Lady Irma's howling. We were disconnected from the outside worries, only in tune with survivor mode. Now, nature is still, we are recovering from the impact. The stars are visible, the moon is bright, and the crickets are singing, the humidity is intense, the night is long...

Day 7: I can see the light after the darkness. My mind feels refresh after the stress. My body is recovering from the extreme heat and humidity. Things are getting back to normal, but without internet and line phones, I will not be able to work until Monday. Thanks to social media, I'm in touch with all of you. Thank you for following me, for your concern, prayers, and messages. I can't answer all, I'm saving data. Let's keep up the good thoughts and prayers for those who lost their houses or lives. Go out and help if you can, our community needs you. Don't waste water, light, food, someone needs it. Lady's Irma retreat is close to the end. What is your story?

Day 8: Lady Irma's retreat is over! We have power, but no Internet or line phones. We depend on some many commodities that we take it for granted. I will be back to work until Monday. The furious Irma left everything upside down, but GREAT LESSONS: Strengthened family values, prayers for protection from all over the world were answered, unified neighbors, and solidified friendships. Lady Irma had mercy on us since our cities could not been able to resist the direct impact of a Cat. 5 Hurricane. Facebook was our mean to communicate and pray together. Thank you for your concern and love. We will recover!

Day 9: Slowly getting back to normal. After three days of darkness without air conditioning, no internet, line phones, low network, I was disconnected to the outside world and news. The only mean of communication was Facebook. Unbelievable! We're paying high bills for our communication services, electricity, but I was able to contact my family via FREE social media. Something is wrong! However, the most important is to evaluate the way we have our elders, they are not disposable items that we left in one irresponsible facility to die alone. We will rebuild our houses, we will recover, but the lives lost by negligence is NOT ACCEPTABLE!

Day 10: No internet, phone lines, and my data got to its limit for this month. I'll be disconnected from WhatsApp and Messenger for a while. I'm not complaining, but I think, If I live in a First World Country, imagine how hard must be for people on the Caribbean Islands? Please, don't waste water, light, or food, someone else is need it! Other than that, we’re FINE!

Day 11: A week ago, Lady Irma passed by turning material possessions upside down, but strengthened family values and unified neighbors. Slowly we’re getting back to normal. Only Facebook has been the mean of communication. Thank you for following my adventure, for your prayers and good thoughts. Today, churches are open. Time to praise the Lord for all His Mercy. We're FINE!;)

Day 12: Preparing to get back to normal with a few changes: No classroom visits, read aloud events, or book promotion during September. I don't have car and we will focus on helping the community recover from Hurricane Irma’s impact. There is tons of work to do and you can help too! Thank you for your support and prayers. Have a lovely week. We’re FINE!

My favorite quote of the week: We're FINE!