Today’s Secret

Get a Generator!

(Posted by Gayle)

That’s the water rushing out of our backyard and our neighbor’s yard. We’ve had better days here in Dallas and we’ve had worse.  We are among the quarter of a million people who lost power during last night’s storms.  We’re at 21 hours and counting with no electricity.  It gives being “powerless” a whole new meaning!  Our nerves frayed and the stress levels in our household soared as we realized our situation wasn’t going to be remedied quickly (there are indeed drawbacks to working at home.)

Ron managed to snatch the last gasoline powered generator off the shelves at the local Home Depot.  Thankfully no food is spoiling, we have WIFI, and the window unit air conditioner we have in bedroom is keeping us cool tonight. We have it better than so many other folks here many of whom are in hotels, staying with family, or shelters tonight.  
There were moments during in the day when we came close to losing our cool with each other.  Here’s how we survived.

1. We just kept breathing (which is highly underrated.)
2. We recognized that each of us shows our stress in different ways and we tried to stay out of each other’s way for the most part.
3. We were, however, as courteous as possible to each other.
4. We offered assistance to one another and tried to be extra helpful.
5. We took time to stop, look each other in the eye, and communicate about what was happening in calm tones.
6. We went out of our way to avoid taking our anger and frustration out on each other.
7. And sometimes I just had to let the tears flow.

But mostly tonight we are counting our blessings.  Ron’s ingenuity and tireless efforts in caring for “this old house” are at the top of my list.

Update:  at 9 am this morning, TXU said “let there be light” and there was light.  Whew…..

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