I think you ran into a period when my webmaster was upgrading my site. It is finished now. If you run into a problem, I would appreciate your letting me know.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us – terrifying as it was.

This part of your comment says it all.

“It is frightening and awesome that we are so insignificant at times on this planet. We feel we’re in so much control and then an Ike, Gustav, Katrina, Rita, Wilma, Charlie, Betsy, Camille, or Andrew happens to show us just how little control we really have.”

Personally, I think we have little control over anything!

My sister had a quore I think of often -

She said, “Your life can change with one phone call.!”

We are subject to “hurrricanes” in all areas of our lives.

I just thank God you and your family are safe.

As you know, we just went through Hurricane Gustav and are thanking God profusely that Ike steered west of here. This is our third major hurricane in 3 years, and for Baton Rouge, it was the worst in anyone’s memory.

There is no forgiving when Mother Nature does the deed of interrupting your life and physically damaging your home.

There is anger and then acceptance that there are forces beyond human control, and all we can do is prepare, endure, get out of the way, and move forward as soon as it’s safe to come home or go outside.

I hope your roof is repaired and that ServPro was able to remove all signs of water pouring through it. Your roofer should have called you back, but it’s possible he was unable to in a timely manner. Storms of that magnitude completely disrupt modern life.

I was amazed at Ike because it stayed organized over land long enough to make it all the way to Lake Michigan. I was at a friend’s house watching the weather channel when Ike was a completely organized cat 1 hurricane sitting completely over land with its eye on I-20 in Texas. I knew it would be a bad storm for more than just the Gulf Coast.

It is frightening and awesome that we are so insignificant at times on this planet. We feel we’re in so much control and then an Ike, Gustav, Katrina, Rita, Wilma, Charlie, Betsy, Camille, or Andrew happens to show us just how little control we really have.

Sherri

Hurricane Katrina Pictures – Sherris last blog post..Waiting for the power to go out

I was so sorry to hear about your trouble, what a disaster!!

Jerry and I were away about five years ago. We came home to a mess. Had a leak in our family room. Replaced ceiling, walls & carpet.
It will take time to clean up the mess but it will be OK. You are alright. Thank god for that. My heart goes out to you.
Love,
Patsy

Sorry you are so far away. I could have used you to negotiate with my insurance adjuster.

You are right. They will not pay for my new roof. Just the repair of the hole.

But I must admit they were fair in the rest of the mess. They told me I was too low on some of my estimates. I just thought I could redecorate. Seems a lot of sheetrock must be torn out.

As I said to Patricia – at least I don’t live in Galveston and as for the Chicago area, I got off relatively easy.

Although as they say, “everything is local.” Local is the mess in my house.

Thanks for your sympathy! I am in the recovery room now and out of intensive care!

Chris Brogan made an offer I could not refuse last week. He said anyone could take any of his posts just for giving him credit. How nice is that?

That’s all I could accomplish in this mess I am in. Interesting that you noticed I was missing! Thanks!

As you said,

“Oftentimes we are hard on ourselves, especially if we find out we misdirected our energy and focus to the detriment of ourselves.”

I am through with forgiveness of me and the old roofer. I got a new one and I have a new roof. A much sturdier one. The inside mess remains. Waiting for my insurance claim to go through.

Your trip sound like it was WONDERFUL! Loved your recounting of it!

Yes, I have read your great article several times.

I guess I have to be grateful that all I had was what I got which is a mess.

Areas within a mile of me had so much water they were rescuing little old ladies in row boats. But, it was still not Galveston.

I am counting my blessings in spite of my errant roofer. He had the nerve to call yesterday to ask if he could help. Two weeks later!

In the meantime, I got a real roofer and I have a new roof at least that is guaranteed for five years.

You are welcome for the link. You write so well and help many people! I hope you get some new readers!

I agree that “stuff happens!”

BUT THIS MUCH STUFF?

Tearing down sheet rock – replacing windowsills etc etc etc.
Not just redecorating!

Yes, I am calming down. The fans are out!

I could not believe that I found that photo! It was so way out Glad you approve.

Yes, it will take time for forgiveness – a months to restore the damage inside.

I now have a new roof. And it is raining. That is consoling.