I shoved the last suitcase into the back of the truck, sighing, I closed the door with a crashing slam, loud enough to startle my two furry friends  in the backseat.
“It’s going to be fine,” I cheerfully state to them as I pet their heads hanging out of the window. Â Of course I had no idea what Hurricane Florence had in store for us, but no need to worry the already concerned dogs.
It had been a challenging two weeks prior to the announcement that Hurricane Florence was heading our way as a Category 4 storm. I was tired, and the thought of a Hurricane only brought on more stress. I had been through many hurricanes before, and I learned after losing a house in Hurricane Georges (while in Key West,) that leaving when told to evacuate was the best for everyone. Unfortunately, for me, I had just moved into my home on the water the week before, and the mere fact that I had to repack for the evacuation was not a welcomed event. But I did pack and like always, my husband was off preparing for the storm with the US Coast Guard, and I was left to take care of myself and the dogs.
The suitcases were the easiest part. I learned that clothes can always be replaced and that not over packing was the best bet. After all, I was the one going to lug them up and down the stairs and in and out of a truck. Then I gathered all the dog items I would need; the food, leashes, beds and one crate in case I was required to crate the dogs in a hotel. The dogs followed me everywhere as I made piles at the top of the stairs. Brandy, my red baby bear, steadied herself against the suitcases and her bed, making sure she was in the pile to go also. Summer, our blonde bouncing puppy, joyfully followed me from room to room as I gathered items to go. She had no clue what was about to happen!
I rolled a large suitcase into my scrapbooking room, emptied each photo box into the cavernous bag until there were no photos left behind. Then, reaching for a strong rubbermaid tub, entered all of my life’s writings into the sealed tub, making certain they would not be damaged. With a laundry basket, I placed each finished photo album within and added it to the “to go” pile.
By now my pile had grown considerably, and when one of my husband’s co-workers stopped by to check on me, he was amazed at what I had accomplished in a matter of hours. As he carried our safe down the stairs, behind him I clunked the suitcases one by one down two flights of stairs to the back of the truck.
“I think you’ve done this before,” my helpful friend chuckled as he lifted the heaviest items into the truck. “I imagine you would have done this if I hadn’t been here?” He questioned.
“Sometimes you have to do what you have to do, and yes, I would have figured a way to lift them into the truck. It’s what we military wives do.” I responded with a smile.
He wished me well and headed home to his own family, while I turned and made one more run through of the house. I asked myself as I entered each room, what could I not live without if this house were taken by the hurricane. Photos, Hard drives, Safe with Important Papers, Money, Clothes, Medicine, Food, Water and these adorable Dogs clinging to my legs every step along the way.
I closed each blind, turned off the lights and shut the door. The dogs waited by the car door, sure to go with me no matter the distance. I nuzzled their ears and 
opened the door. Scrambling to take their places, I couldn’t help but laugh. How could I ever leave these two sweethearts behind. I’d live in my car if we weren’t welcome in a hotel. I think they knew it too.
My hand fell to my side as I shut the back of the door. I turned and looked at the two hundred year old house that had seen storms, but never a Category 4 hurricane and spoke boldly in her direction, “Princess (the house ghost), You are welcome to join us if you’d like, better hop in the front seat. Good Luck ol’ house!” I turned and found my place at the wheel.
I was off on another big adventure…with everything I love in a truck…except perhaps, Princess!
ps: We drove across the state of Virginia, only to turn around when the storm changed course and began following us. We rode out the storm at a friend’s home in Williamsburg, VA. There was very little to no damage in our area of VA. North Carolina took the brunt of the Category 1 Hurricane with extensive flooding as far inland as Asheville. My husband was on national news throughout the event, which was quite exciting but sad at the same time. For many, their lives will never be the same, but I am thankful they are alive.
