Hurricane Update #8

March 28 of this month is the 6-month mark since Hurricane Ian ravaged our community. It's hard for me to believe we haven't slept in our house one time in the last six months. But things are slowly but surely being put back together. We drove over to the Palm Lake house today for the first time in a couple of months. It was the first time taking the kids with us. They surprised be by not being that upset at how bad it looks. They were able to peek inside the windows and see all of the black mold and the collapsed kitchen bar. H salvaged a playing piece from Candyland and some Legos that were in the front yard. She also found some beautiful wild beach daisies that are now growing in our yard there. Made me smile. I included a photo of her below in front of the house. We're at the stage that we're preparing to demo that house. It still makes me so sad, but in the end, it's just a house. The memories aren't going anywhere.

Our home on the east end of the island where we now live is coming back together slowly but surely. My folks have actually been living in it for a couple of months this winter and have been able to witness the restoration of internet (woo-hoo) and electricity in our lower level (double woo-hoo). Which now means yet another phase of fixing can begin...and that means we're getting closer to us moving back. 

The relief workers continue to amaze me. I have a new appreciation for FEMA and the amazing work disaster relief organizations do. Our little island, while devoid still of much vegetation, is amazingly clean...the piles and piles of debris, both plant & household, are nearly all gone. Our bike paths and streets are looking more normal. Sanibel has opened at least two beaches. Restaurants are opening/reopening. The Sanibel School is back in session. Our friends are moving back home. Life is coming back to Sanibel in many beautiful ways. I'm rather in awe at it all. 

Our plan is still to wait to move back until the end of the school year. But we hope to start spending more weekends at home in the coming weeks. 

Thanks for your continued thoughts & prayers. 

k+mb

Here's a recent photo of our banyan tree and our new hedge. What a difference. Here's a photo of the banyan right after the hurricane. Amazing what 5 months does...