At 11:00 last night I felt completely settled & relaxed. All my children were home & sleeping in their beds. For the 3 past nights I didn't feel as settled or relaxed as I went to bed. Madi was away on Catalina Island, and when one of my children is not in the house, I just feel a little "different" somehow, especially at bedtime. I even feel this way when they just go to spend the night at a friend's house. (what will I do when she goes to college? - I'll figure that out when I have to, I guess.) Anyway, for the past 3 nights I haven't had to turn Madi's light out or check on her as I went to bed myself. Her room was empty, & I missed her. So, I was so happy to have her returned safely to me.
Then, tonight, as we watched smoke fill the air, caused by a nearby construction fire, my dad called to tell me that there was a wildfire on Catalina & that they were evacuating the island. He wanted to make sure that Madi was home. Yes, she is! Then I started thinking that her trip was originally supposed to be a 5-day stay, rather than a 3-day stay. Had that been the case, she would still be on Catalina. However, a few weeks ago, the school decided to shorten the trip. So I asked myself, was this luck or divine intervention? I am sure that if Madi had still been on Catalina, she would have been fine. Her chaperones would have taken good care of her & would have gotten her home safely. Despite that, I know that Madi would have also been frightened & worried, and I would have been too. Many parents, just like me, would have felt helpless, waiting for their children to get off the island and to then be brought safely home. What made our director change the number of days our kids stayed on Catalina? I'm not sure, but if you ask me whether it was luck or divine intervention, I think I'll go with the latter! Thank you for bringing my daughter home safely to me. I love her so!
p.s. - Madi had a wonderful trip! She made new friends & went on a most daring adventure. I will let her tell you all about it. We have to wait for pictures since she took a disposable camera with her & we will have to get it developed - darn!
Everett Andrew Duncan, Jr. 9/26/1958-01/02/2015
9 years ago
7 comments:
Make sure you get the pictures copied onto a disc so you can show us all the pictures! I am so glad and thank Heavenly Father that she is home safe as well! I am glad that she had fun...and I am anxiously awaiting your report! Can't wait to hear about it Madi!
I am glad Madi is home safe and sound! I always say if it seems to coincidental then it was not coincidence! That really was a blessing the dates were changed :)
I just heard the news regarding fire on Catalina Island! My 1st thought before calling Wallace home was to check LaRae's blog. Sure enough the message had been sent that Madi was home and safe! LaRae, your blog has served another useful purpose. When possible, instant notification to family and friends in case of emergency. My love to all,(with thankfulness) Grandma J
I have been listening to the news of the fire on Catalina, and the first thing I thought of was Madi. I checked your blog to see if there was news and thank goodness she's home safe!
I know what you mean about not having your kids home at night. There was a time when Zac was not living with me, and, in fact, his dad and I didn't know where he was at all. Every night I would go to bed and leave the hall light on for him, and he would always turn the light off when he came home. Well, during this time that he was gone I would still leave the light on in case he came home. I would wake up and I could see through the cracks in my door that the light was still on. When I'd leave my room his bedroom door would still be open and his room still empty. Even now that he's back, and even though he's "grown," waking up and hearing him snore in the next room gives me such comfort. So I know exactly what you mean when the kids aren't home.
I'm looking forward to Madi's Catalina post and seeing her pictures!!
I am glad I did this post so that you all knew Madi was not even near the fire. It was a quick late-night thought, and I was really too tired to do it, but I am glad I did. It turned out to be a quick and easy way to let Grandma J know that all was well. I didn't even think about that as I was putting up the post, but now I see that my blog can be used for another purpose - how wonderful! I love finding additional reasons for this new little hobby of mine.
I so can relate to this. A few years back, Grant was up at Potossi and they had to be evacuated due to the Red Rock fire. He was close to home and I was still stressed until he walked in the door smelling of camp. I am glad Madi got home safely and that the Henderson area fire was put out without any injuries... My 2 boys are leaving this summer for a horse riding scout camp in Idaho...and we will have 8 days of NO CHILDREN...but I will worry even though I will be enjoying the peace and quiet.
I agree with you. I'm glad Madi got home before the wildfire started!
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