Be Ready
September came and went with its quiet reminder: be ready.
The world seems to tilt a little more each year—storms stronger, systems shakier, power grids less reliable. So, Mikelle and I decided it was time to do more than talk about preparedness; we became, as she likes to say with a grin, “a bit of preppers.”
It started with a sale.
There it was—gleaming on the hardware store shelf—a generator marked down like destiny itself. We looked at each other, and I could almost hear Pat Conroy’s voice narrating the moment: “And so began the unlikely love affair between two women and a machine that promised light in the darkness.”
We brought it home, rolled it into the garage, and named it “Hope.” Because when the lights flicker, that hum of electricity feels like grace.
A Plan in Motion
Our little preparedness mission didn’t stop there. We stocked three days’ worth of food and water—enough to keep things calm and comfortable. We tucked away extra batteries and candles, just in case the storm outside decides to test our calm inside. The storm could be weather, it could be a blackout, or it could be something else.
I am looking at ways to get Mikelle involved. Maybe she can keep inventory on her iPad, or perhaps we could have her brother come over to discuss it with the team. He was the one who recommended this brand of generator because he has it for his family.
Together, we’re developing a team training plan that includes bringing in an expert to discuss safety protocols, emergency procedures, and strategies for maintaining coordination in chaotic situations.
And yes, we’ve got bug-out bags ready.
Backpacks with essentials—important papers, herbs and essential vitamins, aspirin, snacks, flashlights, and those small comforts that make an uncertain moment feel manageable, butterscotch candies. I read that hard candy, which feels like Grandma, can calm nerves in a crisis.
Being prepared settles fear to a manageable level, and it is about having choices when the world goes sideways.
Prepared, Not Panicked
For families like ours—where interdependence is both art and survival—preparedness brings peace of mind. It’s not about expecting disaster; it’s about knowing that if it comes, we have a plan and a purpose.
Mikelle loves the independence of knowing she can grab her bag, roll out the door with her team, and have what she needs. For me, preparedness is just another form of love—a promise that I’ve done what I can to keep her world safe and steady.
Hope
Find your version of preparedness, whether it’s a generator, a flashlight, or a friend who knows where the batteries are stored. Because readiness isn’t just practical—it’s empowering. It reminds us that in the middle of chaos, we still have the power to create order, comfort, and calm.
And if you ever need to borrow a candle, you know where to find us.
So, as we move into fall and the winds pick up again, I hope you take a page from our new prepper playbook.
Find your version of preparedness, whether it’s a generator, a flashlight, or a friend who knows where the batteries are stored. Because readiness isn’t just practical—it’s empowering. It reminds us that in the middle of chaos, we still have the power to create order, comfort, and calm.
And if you ever need to borrow a candle, you know where to find us.