fbpx

One week out from Hurricane Irma. Military forces from the UK, US, France & The Netherlands have finally moved in to restore some semblance of order. The looting is subsiding and aid is being distributed. All slowly of course, because…well…this is still the islands. (Some things never change, disaster or not.)

The mainstream media is finally starting to offer real glimpses into the aftershock of life on devastated rocks (some better than others…go New York Times! CNN…better late than never, I guess.). And communications from storm-ravaged places are finally starting to emerge at more than a mere trickle. (There is no sweeter sound than a WhatsApp notification that bears my St. Maarten friend’s name on the screen.)

Oh Anderson Cooper…”yeah, I work out at the gym” press photos? Really?! Put those muscles to work helping people!

I wasn’t directly affected by this storm, and for that I am grateful, of course. But I have watched from the sidelines as friends weathered the actual storm then faced the loss of homes and livelihoods and very uncertain futures. All I could do is offer support and positive thoughts during the dark times. And occasionally humor, because in the end…humor is the way I deal with loss. One needs to go with what they’re good at.

But it still doesn’t feel like quite the right time to return to making fun of island life. Soon. But not quite yet.

For the moment, I just want to reflect on the fragile nature of our existence on this planet. And I don’t just mean life on Caribbean rocks. We can curate a life that we love almost anywhere (but not everywhere, as I once found out first-hand…another – funnier – blog for another day). And we can let ourselves believe that such a life, rich with joy, experiences and contentment, will be infinite. And why not let ourselves believe that? It fills us with hope and warmth and love. All very good things.

But then, anywhere, anytime Mother Nature can unleash her bitchy side and show us who is really the boss on this planet. And it isn’t us. By a long shot. We just like to believe we are. Human nature being what it is. But whether it’s a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, fire or any other natural disaster, we learn (or are reminded of) something very fast. The line between a tranquil, idyllic existence and tragedy is fine. Very fine, indeed.

But to keep things positive (because negative never gets anyone very far in life), indulge me with a few observations about what I’ve learned/been reminded of myself in the past seven days…(and then head over to Drinking the Whole Bottle for Jen’s wise advice on why we should all be hummingbirds, especially during disasters).

But the islands cannot do it alone. Liberally adapting a sentiment from Hillary Clinton, if it takes a village to raise a child, it will take the world to raise these island from devastation.

You can help. No matter how small the contribution.

Thankfully, there are many ways to help. From cash donations to supplies to offering your special skills on the ground (I’ve seen calls for doctors, nurses and technology experts already). My friend Chrissann (who calls the British Virgin Islands home) of the island-inspired website Women Who Live on Rocks has put together this amazing list of ways to assist. For all the affected islands. Because this isn’t just about one rock or another. It is about all of us. Together.

The islands we all love – whether as residents, visitors or admirers from afar – will return to their former glory. It will take time, but paradise is not lost…we just need to be patient and persistent. And help where we can.

xo

 

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

%d bloggers like this: