The eye of the storm

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