Growing
up I lived in a family that did not have enough money for much of anything and
with parents that were dysfunctional at best and very abusive to each other, but
I did not have to deal with any form of a natural disaster. However, when my
daughter was 2 ½ we experienced a hurricane that took our home. For the first
half of Hurricane Wilma we were forced to hide in our closet because the wind
blew in our picture window and sliding glass door. Shortly after that part of
the roof was ripped off and our house was flooding. When the eye of the storm
passed over we were able to go across the street to my in-laws house and ride
out the rest of the storm there but these events were very stressful for my
daughter. In the months after the storm my daughter would not leave my side. I
could not go to school, the grocery store or even the bathroom without her. If
I did leave her side she would either cry or hide under a bed until I returned.
The loss of everything she owned, including her home, clothes and toys affected
her in a very serious way. Now, at the age of 11, she doesn’t even remember
that storm or the affect that those events had on her but when she hears about
severe storms or is caught in a lightning storm she tends to get a little bit
skittish.
Living
in America I was able to provide for my daughter, even having lost everything.
Those that live in other countries (underdeveloped countries) may not have
those possibilities. Even though I did not have a home I had family that was able
to let me put a roof over my daughters head. They were also able to help me
feed her until I was able to get back on my feet and provide for her myself.
People living in underdeveloped countries may not have those privileges and if
the children of natural disasters cannot get the things that they need they may
be affected by the memories of what they went through much more than my
daughter.
Wow, what an experience for you and your daughter. My children have never been in scary storms but my son experiences terrible anxiety when faced with stress including strong winds. The tornado siren went off and he froze at the top of the basement stairs. Although the storm was north of us I am so afraid he will never go down the basement when we really need to. I think your love and protection probably carried your child through those scary times. I continue to find it amazing how someone like yourself can come from such a hard childhood and grow to be a caring, capable parent. Kuddos to you and others.
ReplyDeleteHello Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your family experience. I choke up thinking about what you and your daughter experienced. You had mentioned that your daughter gets "skittish" when there are severe storms around now. Did her school offer any counseling to your daughter or other children that were in the storm? The resilience of a child is amazing, I hope that you and your family have no lasting anxiety because of the terrible stress you have endured.
Bless you both, Mary
Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you and your daughter survived the storm and you had a family who could help you in your time of need. That is extremely important after something as traumatic as that. My fiancé and family survived Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and every time it rains or storms he is very nervous. I have never went through anything like that and couldn't imagine what it would feel like to loose everything and have to start over. I have great respect for your strength and courage.....bless you:)
Wow to hear what you and your daughter went through is hard. I am so glad that you both came through it. This makes me think of my niece. When she was 4 we had several large storm systems that had been forming tornados all day long off and on. When the sirens blew near us we took cover and things got really scary. I can still hear her screaming as the tornado got closer. She is now almost 10 and she is still horribly scared of storms and will crawl into bed with what ever adult she is with and will take cover until the storm stops. You and your daughter are so courageous and I have huge respect for anyone who has been through a terrible storm.
ReplyDelete