Good Night, Irene

It's really interesting how your priorities refocus when you are forced to evacuate your home.

My wife and I live in a small beachfront community that was singled out by Hurricane Irene for complete devastation. Obviously, our initial prayers were for family and friends. When we were assured all were as safe as possible, our thoughts went to the material things we have accumulated over the years.

What should we save?

My wife and I are certainly not hoarders. Although we have collected some wonderful keepsakes, artwork, jewelry, clothing, must-have electronics and other items over the years, what's really important? Do I take my favorite workboots, the ones that were broken in 20 years ago? How about my autographed copy of Mickey Mantle's autobiography? Or, my favorite tennis racquet that I just got restrung? And, how about the bowling ball I had since I won a PAL bowling tournament 50 years ago?

We had 12 hours to make our decision, pack our SUV with as much as we could and literally run for the hills. That's when my wife got me focused, saying there was only room to pack either the Renoir or the Picasso? (lol)

That night I got into bed more tense than I could ever remember. In 24 hours, my life might change forever. Everything we worked so hard for could be washed out to sea. Or would it?

It took me a few minutes of tossing and turning to narrow down my choices.

The next morning I ran around the house taking pictures of all my favorite things, which I downloaded and added to the photo file on my laptop, just in case. Then I telephoned my kids to make sure they were not afraid. Satisfied, my wife and I held hands, sat back in our rocking chairs and faced Irene the same way we have faced every storm— head on and together. Our priorities were set.