Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Hurricane Ike

I wrote this on Sunday, while Hurricane Ike blew through Kentucky. We didn't get power back for three days, some people in the county still not having it. It's a sad state of affairs in this country right now, and I hope this can be a little bit of inspiration.



Hell hath no fury like hurricane Ike. Now a tropical depression and blowing through Kentucky, it’s hard to describe the feeling. Standing in the middle of our back yard, I spread my arms and feel like I’m flying. Looking out from our play set maybe 10 feet off the ground, a mix of emotions come over me. I want to laugh and to cry and to scream.
I want to laugh because of the sheer adrenaline and joy I feel with the wind whipping through my hair, the sound of it, the smell of it. The amazing-ness that is the wind of a tropical depression.
I want to cry thinking about all of the people that lost their homes and lives in this storm, and all of us all over the country that may not be able to leave our homes either, from damage or the price of gas.
I want to scream because it’s all just so unfair. No one should have to experience the things they do. Right now is perfect, the wind has died down enough you can stand to be outside, and it’s wonderful. But simply doubling this… the terror and betrayal these people must feel is unimaginable.
The feeling to smile, though, is overpowering. The adrenaline rushing through my body, mixed with the calming sensation I have is so powerful. I know you all want to have me submitted because of this “calming sensation” but let me explain. The wind is so crazy, taking up everything it can, whisking it away. It’s everywhere but it’s no where. It’s all around me, the chaos and destruction it has caused. And somewhere in it, I realized that this is something like my life. It’s crazy and hectic and never perfect. But it’s what I’ve grown to love, and that is reassuring. I know that I’m not the only person that will ever feel this serious wind, and it’s good to know. Maybe others out there relate, and it makes them feel the same way. Maybe something like this is the only rough time some people out there will ever have. I don’t know. All I know is that right now, sitting in the middle of my wind and my life, I’ve accepted it, and hope others can as well.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Friday Night Football

We sat in the stadium, excitement high. People were shouting, the band was playing, and soon everyone was on their feet. Clapping, singing our fight song and cheering for the team, we were pumped. Red and white flashed everywhere, on everyone from the infantile to the elderly. Spirit filled the stadium, pride in our school flowed through us all.
The football team scored a touchdown, bringing the score ever closer, and then another tying the game. With the entire crowd on their feet, the clock ran down, and overtime began. We waited anxiously to see who would win the toss for offense, and the energy dipped momentarily as the other team did. Not for long though, as it was soon 4th and ten. Time for a field goal. This would be the fourth of the night, and we thought they had it in the bag. We got quiet as they kicked, knowing the game was done.
With a roar the crowd realized the official denied it, and we were back to the energy of before. Jumping and clapping, we cheered anxiously for the next three plays. Come 4th down, still nothing. As we lined up to kick our own field goal, no one knew what to expect. As the ball flew perfectly through the goal, the crowd went wild. People were hugging and jumping and clapping and celebrating.
But this was nothing compared to what happened on the field. The entire team rushed out to meet our offensive line and our kicker, one pile of teenage boys. Ranging from freshman to seniors, age didn’t matter in that moment. They were all Panthers, and they had all won the game.