Hurricane Maria
This expression piece was difficult at first because I did not wish to imagine emotionally what it would be like to be in the midst of this disaster. This was not due to a lack of empathy rather too much empathy. I tend to be an emotional sponge in reading or hearing others stories of traumatic events. Meaning I take on their emotions and carry them home with me. I just did not feel comfortable taking on the extra emotions. In writing this piece I was able to better consider all the pieces of one’s life that can be affected by a natural disaster.
The names and demographics I choose to tell her story are based on research of the events that took place before, during, and after Hurricane Maria
Gabriela is a 27 year old mom with three Kids ages 1, 4, and 6.
Mia is the 4 year old
She and her Husband live together near San Juan, Puerto Rico
The following are made up journal entries dating from September 18-September 26, 2017
Monday September 18, 2017 9:15 am Dear journal,
School was canceled today for the kids due to surge in this tropical storm they mentioned over the weekend. I was hoping to have the house to myself since my husband and I just started packing a few things to take with us to my mother’s house in Florida. I am getting a little concerned about our house but everything seemed to be ok after hurricane Irma. We only had a few windows broken. The news report said it might hit our Island. We will be boarding up the house just in case. I am grateful for our neighbor Jorge. He is an angel for taking care of the kids while I finish getting us together. I wish we could afford to buy him a ticket off the Island. Even if we did I’m not sure I could convince him to leave his home. He is a bit of a homebody and as he has said weathered a many a storms he believes he’ll be just fine. I know my husband will look out for him. We only had enough for the kids and I to fly on such a late notice.
Tuesday September 19, 2017 11am Dear Journal,
I am exhausted. My husband and I could not sleep as now we know Hurricane Maria will hit really hard on our Island. I want him to come with me and the kids so bad. We finally agreed to use our money for the bills to buy him a ticket but everyone is sold out. I don’t know what we’re going to do. Our flight leaves in an hour and the kids are crying so much about leaving. I tried to not turn on the radio but everywhere we go it’s being talked about. What’s going to happen? What if he doesn’t make it? Our Island is only so big. I feel as though nowhere is safe. I have to stay strong for the kids. I want to cry so badly with them, but I don’t want them to be afraid.
Tuesday September 19, 2017 9pm Dear Journal
The hurricane’s gonna destroy our home. It’s gonna destroy our beautiful Island. My husband called to tell me he was safe at the children’s school however he planned to go back out in the morning to force Jorge to come with him. As much as I’ve pleaded with him not to do that, I know his mind is made up. The children are finally asleep. My mom made us a delicious dinner I am sure, but I just didn’t have an appetite. I pray my husband will be safe and Jorge too.
Wednesday September 20, 2017 8:30am Dear Journal
Thank God, the kids are still sleep. I have been crying uncontrollably. The hurricane has hit and I have no idea whether my husband stayed at the school or left to get Jorge. All the power in the Island is out. There is no way for me to communicate with him. I have seen images on the news of our town and all the neighborhoods are completely destroyed. How can this have happened so quickly.
Wednesday September 20, 2017, 12pm Dear Journal
My mom took the kids to the park so I could have some time to reach my husband, but it’s no use. The rain and wind is so bad it will likely be days before I hear from him. My heart is so overwhelmed. I don’t know what to tell the kids. I want to follow what’s happening but I don’t want them to know.
Tuesday September 26, 2017 9am Dear Journal
It has been a week and still no word from my husband. I’ve tried to contact some of my neighbors and teachers at the school, but no one has seen or heard from Jorge or my husband since the day before the storm. Power is still out on most of the Island and flood waters have began to recede. A friend of mine tried to go check on our house for us, but she said the road was too torn up and power lines were everywhere. What am I supposed to do? What if he is really gone? What am I going to tell the kids? Mia has been begging to talk to daddy, I’ve just been telling her his phone is dead. But what if he is?
