Nature is beautiful. My sister, Kaye, and her husband Terry headed for vacation in Fiji. Have you heard about the over-the-water bungalos? It must be amazing to watch ocean life swim by.
But besides being beautiful, nature can be terrifying. Late last week, I began hearing about a typhoon headed for Fiji called Winston, but didn't think too much about it. Then I started hearing category 5 storm, most powerful storm in the southern hemisphere since they began recording events like this, deadly cyclone, and similar things -- that got my attention.
My niece, Bonnie, posted Friday on Facebook that her mom and dad, my sister and brother-in-law, were out of contact and power was down. The brunt of the storm would be Saturday, and she thought we wouldn't know anything until Monday.
Sunday afternoon, I got a text message with just two simple words: "They're safe."
What amazing news. Don't we take life things for granted sometimes?
Glad to hear. A guy who had something terrible happen once said "You entire life can change in an instant." I always try to remember that.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear this they're OK. I've got a good friend who lives in a small village on the beach in the Philippines. Every year we have tense moments like this when a cyclone clobbers the islands.
ReplyDeletenature is beautiful isnt that 3 words ???????
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for the good news. And yes, I've seen lots of photos of those huts out over the water. I think you're right - nature can be beautiful and can be quite deadly.
ReplyDeleteMy niece got a text. They will be home Tuesday and they have many stories!
ReplyDeleteThe cyclone was your Friday, our Saturday! It was frightening and I was glad we texted our daughter and my siblings before the storm took out the cell towers. In the dark, with the windows boarded up, water swirling around our ankles and the roar of the storm that went on for hours, I thought that that might have been my last conversation with them. In the aftermath with no electricity, water, wi fi, cell phone service, etc., my most valuable possession was a small LED flash light that the group leader gave us as a souvenir (that none of really appreciated until the electriciy went out)! I wouldn't have sold mine for $100 as it shed light to comfort me, brush my teeth by, find my way around, read in the dark, and find my way to my hut. It made us appreciate the small things as well as the big things - a small souvenir flashlight, each other and our families at home. Love ya, bro!
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