Monday, August 29, 2011

What Would You Take?


Friday, August 26 - As I write this, many family and friends in southern New Jersey are leaving their homes, forced to evacuate prior to Hurricane Irene's arrival. It is a bit surreal; I almost feel as though I am taking the journey with them, for south Jersey was my home for 40 years. Thoughts like - what would we take, which vehicles would we bring, where would we go - keep floating through my head. 

I lived on the bay side of a barrier island until I was sixteen, though we weathered high tides, heavy winds and rain from tropical storms, nor'easters, and hurricanes, we never had to evacuate. We moved to the mainland portion of NJ's peninsula when I was sixteen, and I suppose we felt more immune to the weather's tricks and turns. Storms were common, but hurricanes weakened or veered out to sea. But perhaps not this time...

This event has made me pause, take mental inventory, and consider my priorities. What would I grab if I had to leave quickly? Family, of course. My Bible, important papers, laptop, flash drive, and whatever else would fit in our car.  I wonder, are we prepared for an emergency? Probably not as much as we should be.

Pondering this smacks perspective into a busy life, you know?

Tell me, what would you take if you had to leave? How prepared are you for an emergency?

Thankful for family, friends, and so many blessings,

Karen

P.S. Sunday evening update - Family and friends are fine, and all is well. Soggy, but well.

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

33 comments :

  1. I'd probably take the same things you listed. My wife would try to cram every photo album in our car, I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Same things, here, too. Karen. I read a post this summer by a mom in Texas whose home was dangerously close to a wild fire and while packing their car she was thankful her children didn't even think to ask if the TV would fit.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That was a great post - made you think. I'm glad it didn't turn out as bad as they thought - but too many it was bad enough!

    ReplyDelete
  4. One thing I wouldn't forget is my cats. They aren't pets, they're family.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I had to evacuate. I took my a Bible, my Ipad, my laptop, my strongbox with important papers and flashdrives with pictures, lots of cash, medicine and bandaids, water and food.
    It was scary. But a good learning experience.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am happy to hear your family is safe and well. I'd take my camera bag and my tote that always has my bible, journal, and IPad, and I'd stuff in my laptop!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Alex,
    I'm with your wife - I'd be grabbing photo albums too if I could!

    Carol,
    Yes, and I would have the additional items, such as granola bars and bandaids, which can be found in my purse! :)

    Sandie,
    It's really got me thinking, you know? I need to make some lists this week!

    Diane,
    Well of course! So tell me, are they the subjects of your weekend posts? :)

    Jennifer,
    So glad to hear all is well with you and your family. Glad there wasn't any damage to your home either!

    Lynn,
    Thank you! I know, it really makes you think - I probably need a tote like yours!

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  8. It reminds me of the time of the big earthquake in Chile in early 2010. The aftershocks were so strong and frequent and we had to keep an emergency bag always ready near the front door.

    However when we had to rush out at the time it struck, we were fortunate to be able to grab our important documents and wallet. Later on for almost a month of continual strong aftershocks my passport and some cash in my moneybelt remained strapped around my waist 24/7.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, tough question! I'd take my laptop, Bible, and plenty of other reading material. Oh, and my family, of course! :)

    Glad to hear your loved ones are safe.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It's good to hear that your family is safe from the storm. You were blessed to live there so long and not have to leave.

    If I had to leave my home in a hurry, I'd make sure my husband was out and then I'd grab as many photo ablums as I could. I cherish my pictures, but having the people in them safe is the best thing of all.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sadly, I think there will be more and more of these natural disasters happening in our life time. I hope you and yours are safe!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Joy,
    I forgot you were from Chile, yes that would be a challenge! Glad you made it through it all.

    Sarah,
    LOL - yes, family is a good thing to remember! :) Yes, I might grab a few books if I had time.

    Nancy,
    Yes, we really were. I'm with you; I love our pictures too and would be unhappy to lose them!

    Lydia,
    I think you are correct. Best to be prepared and have a plan. Thank you!

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  13. No matter how hard we try to prepare or think we are prepared, it is never enough. The main thing is take the lessons being taught with a smile and a prayer. Prayers for your family, Karen.
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

    ReplyDelete
  14. We were very lucky over in the Lancaster area Karen compared to other unlucky ones.Im from Florida so i respect these and have seen the damage they can do. Richard from Amish Stories.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I live in Irene's path and for a time we thought we might have to evacuate. This was one of the most troubling questions, because I was totally NOT prepared, not organized, and not wanting to deal with gathering things "just in case." We didn't end up being hit too badly. And for that we are very grateful!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm not prepared, by any means, but I would grab the strong box with important papers, laptop and a first aid kit. There would be a lot of discussion with my son on what he could NOT take.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jules,
    So we get prepared as best we can, right? :) Thanks for the support; all is well with my gang!

    Richard,
    Yes, well if you are from FL, then you are familiar with these kinds of storms. Respect is a good thing!

    Ruth,
    Glad all is well! It's been a lesson for me to get ready. :)

    Sally,
    Yes, the strong box for sure! Had to laugh about your son. Everyone has different priorities. :D

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  18. Have to admit this has been a challenging couple of years and we are not as prepared for a major emergency as we have been in the past. So far God has been very good to us and we are doing much better now.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I would take my animals first thing, then when they were safe id go get my family pictures. Lots of history there so i would try and get that on my 2nd try........Id like to invite everyone to my blog Amish Stories today to read a post from old order Mennonite Jean of New York state. Jean has taken-in a foster child named Michael whose parents are no longer able to take care of him. He's English and Jeans family is old order Mennonite (horse and buggy) but that makes no difference in the love that this young man is receiving from this family. Thank you folks and i hope to see some of you drop by the blog. Richard

    ReplyDelete
  20. Glad you made it through the storm--it was a doozy!!!

    Family and pets are most important to me. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  23. My wedding photos, my laptop... and Mr TR! :) Glad you got through the storm okay.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The same things as you, as well as the picture of our Gods and my laptop, books and our Tulasi (holy) plant.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Kids, hubby, hard drives, cameras, pictures, safe, and my beloved coffee beans. Maybe not in that order. :)

    I'm glad your family is safe, Karen. Soggy, we can handle.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Stephen,
    I am sorry to hear that. Hope things are looking up!

    Richard,
    I stopped over earlier - enjoyed the post. Have a good break!

    Laura,
    It was something. Thankfully it wasn't quite as bad as they thought. BTW - just deleted two of your comments, only b/c they were duplicates, not b/c I didn't like them! :)

    Talli,
    Yes, wedding photos! And I do think you would be in trouble if you forgot Mr. TR! lol

    Rachna,
    When you pare it down like this it really makes you think, doesn't it?

    Rhonda,
    Yes, glad coffee made it onto the list! :D Oh yeah, and kids and hubby too!

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'd grab the cats, our photos, my flash drive and some clothes. Not much when you think about it. =)

    ReplyDelete
  28. My pets, of course, plus everything you named. I'd grab the sentimental stuff -- photos and family stuff. As to the rest, well, I guess it can be replaced. *sigh* I'm sorry for the folks who have to make these choices.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hey Karen -

    You just gave me the best reason to invest in a laptop one of these days (when our books sells 100,000 copies???). :)

    I'm glad your family is OK. Reports are beginning to come in of family and friends dealing with power outages and flooding. Thankfully, they were not hurt.

    Blessings,
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  30. Shannon,
    I know, considering our homes our full of stuff! :)

    Lisa,
    Me too - the sentimental stuff if I could. It's hard to imagine having to really do that!

    Susan,
    Yes, I highly recommend a laptop! They are much easier to carry to the car! :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  31. Living in Southern California, you'd think I would be ready but am not in the least. What I would take? My bible, my camera, probably the box of cookies!

    ReplyDelete
  32. With the bushfires, cyclones, and floods of the past year, I've thought about this quite a lot - I think it was the crazy flash flood ( which they named an inland tsunami) which made me realise - everything - but people - is replacable. If I had time to salvage anything else that would be a bonus.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Shanda,
    Yes, the cookies, how could I forget that? :) Although I might grab the chocolate bars instead...it could be a toss up!

    Michelle,
    Yes, you've had quite a few adventures, haven't you? I agree, the people are the most important!

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!