Our old boards for the windows had taken a beating since last used. Assured a storm will be headed our way this year I started my preparation. It called for several new sheets of half inch four by eight plyboard. Lowes was good in loading them into my truck. They didn't follow me from Aransas Pass to Rockport for unloading, however. A sheet of plyboard is not an easy thing to handle anytime. It was especially contrary in the wind but I managed somehow.
Now I am extremely uncomfortable in my right hip. Tylenol, ibuprofen, emu oil, and horse linament (sp) have kept me going. At night it all wears off so I have spent the last three evenings sitting up in a chair or tossing about in the bed seeking relief. Better days will come as my damaged muscles, or whatever. heal, but it is an awful reminder of what I can no longer do.
When that inevitable storm bears down on us I will have to have help in putting those boards on sixteen windows and doors. It makes me realize that many more will face the same dilemma. They will either need assistance or simply leave with unprotected windows.
It would be nice if there were teams of young, strong men who would be ready to move in on a house and board it up in short order. Of course they will have their own property to prepare. The fortunate ones with storm shutters to simply crank closed are blessed. These plyboard pieces are not fun to deal with.
So I am now in a position where I cannot install the boards I prepared. My hurting hip will limit for some time what I can do. I am the first victim of a yet to form storm out in some distant island chain.
How often is this so in other areas of our lives? We prepare for something that hasn't come to pass and get hurt in the process. We anticipate too far ahead and get hit by another of life's problems.
One area that DOES call for preparation BEFORE the storm is the spiritual. Making this bit of preparation is never too soon. The consequences are more painful than a hip pointer.
