….Or not

Last night, I drove in from Tyler starting at 8 p.m. I got in Houston around 1 a.m. and we packed the car. Then, I departed my house at 3 a.m. I sat in traffic from 3 a.m. until 12 p.m. and moved around 30 miles. I needed to go around 200 miles to get to my in laws house. I was running out of gas, with no gas available at gas stations. I hadn’t eaten, slept or gone to the bathroom since 3 a.m. I reached absolute exhaustion and called the husband. I had just enough gas to get back home (since coming back 30 miles would actually take me 30 minutes, not 8 hours). He told me to come home because the alternative was to end up stuck on the side of the road. After many tears and lots of fear that I’m dooming T-Bone to disaster, I came home. He was overheating and I was giving him water out of my hand.

So, it looks like I’m riding out the storm here in Houston. There are bits of good news. One, my husband is going to be able to take me with him (and T-Bone, too) to ride out the storm. We will be together and that is so valuable to me. We will also be with many of our closest friends. Two, this is not good news for many and the track may change, but it looks like the hurricane might not be a direct hit for us. Who knows, though.

Oh, and today, while it was an incredibly frustrating and futile effort, it did teach me about the human spirit. As our cars were sitting in the parking lot they called a road today, we all got out of our cars and talked to each other. It didn’t matter our background, we were all in this together. While road rage would have been entirely justified, I saw very little. I also saw a lot of people putting others before them, rather than trying to further their own journey. It’s cool when you can see a disaster bringing out the best in people rather than the worst.

Tonight, we’ll pack our clothes, our water, our non-perishable food items, and my knitting. Tomorrow, we’ll go to the medical center to ride out the storm. Things may change…goodness knows that today was an exercise in that. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers (if you’re so inclined). It was so encouraging to come home today to your sweet comments. For as long as we have internet and my laptop has battery, I will keep you posted.

18 thoughts on “….Or not”

a coworker’s husband is stuck trying to get out of houston in a similar situation (i’m in austin). i hope it starts getting better somehow.
my thoughts & sympathies with you. we’re nervous here, but i know it’s not nearly the same.

I can’t imagine being stuck like that – I get an anxiety attack just thinking about it. I will be thinking of you and your family and friends – please check in when you can!!! Be safe.

That seems so unreal to me…yet I watched the news on the TV…with all of those tail lights just sitting there. I am thinking of you all. Hugs.

Sarah B take care!!!! I’m thinking of you too and hope you’ll be able to keep us updated. Stay safe.

oh gosh, best wishes Sarah!

Hi Sarah, I’m Carrie’s sister, and she told me about you staying in Houston… I’ll be thinking about you, and sending good safe vibes to you, your husband, and your dog.
Stay safe!

Best of luck for you all. My prayers are with you.

Oh Sarah, I’m in tears reading of your situation. It’s so unreal to me, I can’t even believe this is happening again. I’m glad you will be with T-bone and your hubby and will be thinking of you constantly. PLEASE update us whenever you can.
Be Safe!!

We are thinking about you!! With you, Jason and T-Bone together, that storm hasn’t got a chance. 🙂

Sending thoughts and prayers. Will check in on you. Be safe.

Take care & stay safe. You’ve got a lot of people thinking about you!

Up here in Canada – we are all thinking of you, going through this horrible storm.
Best of luck.

Oh, Sarah, good luck to all of you. I’m sure that it’s very scary, but the medical center has to be one of the best places for you and hubby and especially T-Bone to be. Stay strong and keep us posted. Thoughts and prayers…