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One year ago today I awoke in the morning knowing I had to prepare the best I
could for what would be the worst hurricane since Hurricane Andrew. (To us, it
would be worse than Andrew.) I had to work this day, one year ago. I even had
to go into work 2 hours early to beat the mandatory "No Driving" time
set by our governor. This also allowed the person I was reliving the chance to
get home. Was I prepared? Not in the eyes of the average person, nor was I prepared
to the level most people are for a hurricane. But I was REALLY not prepared for
what would come through the night. But I kissed Gricela good bye, just as I did
every work night, and I headed off to work.
Working in the job I did, I had 60 cameras that I would cycle through to keep
an eye on the facility. As the storms approached, we could watch the wind do
its thing in the safety of a well built building. The first squalls hit around
3pm that day. And they were fierce. How fierce I was still yet to find out.
Later that night my supervisor and I were watching the news and seen a report
of an accident between a Father and Sons Moving company truck and a small blue
wagon. I remember watching the coverage and telling Ramon that at least it looked
like everyone made it out. Boy was I wrong.
At 11:45 I got a call from home. The news was something I just could not believe.
In no way could this have happened to us. I informed my supervisor that I was
leaving. This is something that does not happen in the security industry. You
do not abandon a post. This night was my exception. I left.
The drive home was quite a blur. There were no street or stop lights. There
was debris in the road everywhere and the wind was still gusting at times. I
could still only think of the loss of a beautiful little girl. It just could
not be possible and must be a mistake.
When I arrived home, Gricela was sitting on the couch. She was just still.
She was totally in shock. I wept uncontrollably. It was to be a long night and
even a longer year.
Gricela began to have chest pains. I was very concerned and decided the emergency
room was the place to be at that time. When we arrived at the ER she did not
want to go in. I think she was most concerned with how we would pay the bill.
When I looked out of the side window on the car, there were 2 ladies standing
there. They were nurses and wanted to know if we needed help. I got out of the
car and told them what had happened. They took Gricela into the ER so I could
park. Then when she went into the back, the ladies stayed with me.
It turned out to be an anxiety attack and she was released about 4am.
The entire next week was just a blur. We never left my fathers house except
for the memorial and the funeral services.
And now, here we are a year later. Some is a blur, some I remember like yesterday.
It has been a hard year for me, but not even close to the year that Gricela
has had. I work hard everyday to be there for her and to give her anything she
needs. Things are without saying, a lot different. I am glad that we have each
other. I think it is what keeps us both going on a day to day basis. I pack
my feeling away for the most part. The “professionals” say that
I shouldn’t, but it is how I want it. I just want to be Gricela’s
support.
I miss Camille so much. And it hurts to know the things we never got to do.
The plans we had for our future that we will both miss out on.
I love you Camille and I miss you a great deal!
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