A Letter To Hurricane Irma

I have great respect for you, and I have refused to take any of you for granted, even though I have never experienced your presence. Even though we do not always understand, I know that everything that God has created has also been given a time and purpose. You are a mighty force to be reckoned with. I know that it is not your fault and that it is even beyond your control. The dear people of Texas suffered the wrath of Hurricane Harvey just a few days ago. He was a category 4 storm, and you, Irma are coming across the Caribbean as a category 5. One loss of life is one too many, but with Harvey there were comparatively small numbers of lives lost. We are hoping and praying that God will hear our cry for lives to be spared by you also. One thing is sure: we can prepare for you and pray to God, because only God can control you. You have been next to impossible to predict, and the models cannot get a real fix on you. You are strong; you are huge; and your winds speeds of 185 MPH are probably historical. Unfortunately, you might change all the rules about hurricanes. There is nothing like you, and you may be the most powerful in history. At 18 miles per hour, at least you are moving faster than Harvey, and that is a good thing for which we are grateful. For Atlantic hurricanes like yourself, there is a list of names for every six years. So the 2017 list will be used again in 2023. This cycle changes if a storm is so deadly or costly that the use of it's name is deemed inappropriate. It is retired and removed from the rotation. For example, to name a few: Matthew 2016, Sandy 2012, Irene 2011, and Katrina 2005 are hurricane names that have been retired. Your name and Harvey's will not appear again. We also pray that no hurricane like you will ever cross the Caribbean again. 09062017 PS Contest #2, Another 2017 Stunner. Line Gauthier, 3P; Late October Standard, Brian Strand