My grandmother hid under the bed during thunder storms. My husband watches storms from the shelter of our porch. I am somewhere in between, but I can easily imagine coaxing my grandmother to move over to make room for my quaking body under her twin bed. Now it is pouring. Moments ago I thought I heard a rumble. My brain tripped to a notion of safety-devices off, stay away from open windows and don’t take a bath. Don’t sit under a tree, don’t walk in an open field and don’t decide to take up golf. Don’t. Don’t. Don’t.
I realize I don’t know the do’s. You would think that such a fear filled brain would be able to recite the steps in dealing with any natural disaster and man made one. I don’t know what to do in the event of a tornado. Head for the basement? When do I stand at the threshold of a door relying on the strength of the frame to protect me? I don’t know. Is that during an earthquake? Some people sit in empty bathtubs, don't they? My father was the protector. He clearly trained me in the “don’t do’s”, but failed to solidify the ‘ disaster do’s.”
I have not heard any more rumbles. Perhaps it was an isolated thunder event in the distance? Maybe it was a truck driving past, but then again maybe it was an earthquake? How do I prepare? Maybe I will just “Google it.”
No comments:
Post a Comment