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Huge fluffy clouds began to form over 
Sanibel Island as the salted gulf splashed 
against the rocks around the lighthouse 
coastal waters rose up as a calming coolness 
carried this gentle warm breeze over to the 
mouth Captiva island as I collected sand dollars 

after abruptly leaving Izzy’s seafood the tropical 
breeze ignited blankets of wind chimes warning 
me that the storm is brewing settling over Marco 
Island I quickly noticed lightning striking all the 
way clear from Tampa the lightening capital of 
the world now rushing down the beach on my
 
teal beach cruiser bike my basket full of shells 
as I arrived to the squeaking docks of my humble
townhome palm trees were swaying while two pink 
flamingos were dancing as several star fish cluttered 
the door way clinging to a few sea horses I heard a 
very strange sound out back behind my screen door 

a there were three sea turtles that washed up from 
the sandy shores I rescued them putting them in a 
fishbowl my red poodles began whining and whimpering 
to come inside the breeze rushed through the Lenai 
basically my large patio plants toppled over the clouds 
rolled in a soft sun ray peeking through as raindrops 

started to fall in the mist were tiny rainbow droplets 
a sudden brilliant colorful glow across the sky 
breaking news four hurricanes in view I did 
inventory my hurricane kit check list flash light 
sand bags batteries bottled water non perishable 
food radio a few bottles of wine my rosary candles 

lighter matches I’m glued to the Telly hurricane hitting 
the coast as four pelicans fish for dinner quickly dropping 
straight from the sky splashing into the river emerging 
with giant fish in their bills and large beaks while an
eager school of shark gather dolphins flipping catching 
waves pushing stingrays closer to the shores shuffling 

my feet trying not to startle them and get stung 
I continue gathering more clams for my famous chowder 
looking over the Edison bridge the tides is rolling 
in fast an yet a quiet calm warm breeze surrounds 
the bay the news reporter announcing from wink news 
right up the street he has his family at the station 

with an interpreter speaking in sign language evacuation 
is causing a stand still for Florida residents and visitors 
trying to leave to get to higher ground basically flee to 
Georgia it’s too late thunder was raging overhead as
my poodles and I look for cover in the bathroom tub 
I removed the mattress from the bed to place over us 

no windows it’s my ground zero here the news guy points 
to colorful spaghetti strings on the large screen to tell 
the direction of the storm the strength of the storm from 
category four to seven and there is was everything all dark 
it was as if God was pouring buckets of water from heaven 
heavy splashes lights flickering on and off the news man 

said with tears in his eyes lump in his throat it’s here folks 
God bless you all hug your families and hunker down 
I lay beneath the mattress in the tub with my poodles 
as I heard a screeching sound so loudly peeling the aluminum 
roof opened and back it like the lid of a sardine can exposing 
the stone cinder block continuing on to Port Charlotte in 

seconds levelling the two towns over I emerged from my 
safe haven to find the birds singing all the plants were much
greener much brighter no more moss debris hanging from 
the tall palm trees I noticed an iguana on my window ledge 
I named him Iggy later found out my new friend Iggy was 
actually a baby alligator he was released back into the wilds

I am quite taken by the wonderful way god protects the earth 
the animals the trees we are all family we are all connected 
to nature connected to god’s purpose under this brilliant sun
the cool waters were calm again not raging it is finished I did 
my three hail marys and four our fathers and I pop my cork 
placed my feet in the soft sand wiggling my toes smiled 

and start shelling again collecting brilliant beautiful shells 
pearls treasures from above sea pearls sharks teeth gemstones 
tiny seashells zebra shells tiger shells even floral shell these
beautiful pebbles designed by nature are placed in wine bottles 
the wine bottles are melted into wind chimes and beach 
art the corks are also used for beach art placed with rocks 

as mulch for landscaping to hold moisture in the flowers 
and plants to prevent flooding the circle of life begins again
in memory of surviving being under the eye of these horrific 
storms of the century all I can say is God bless you folks 
hug your family and hunker down and have a blessed day 


Written by Yolanda Nicholsen 5-18-2024 Embracing 
natural disasters remembering feeling blessed surviving 
Florida hurricanes the calm after the storm
Charley August 13th 2004 Fort Myers Beach Florida
Lisa
Gene
Hugo
Dean

Ian 
Maria 
Irma 
Tropical storm Jerry
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