A Power Outage, a Generator, and Our Family Time
Posted: Friday, June 05, 2009
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
For the past several days it has been unusually humid. Yesterday proved to be most unusual. Tornado like winds blew through town bringing a wave of lightening, thunder, and hail. Ultimately, many of the neighboring towns, including ours, lost power.
Normally my husband jumps at the chance to pull out the generator, but this time our day began with frustration because we had so much to do before our son's graduation the next day.
Nevertheless, we sucked it up and tried to make the best of it. Problem number one was trying to decide what our priorities were and what would be most important in terms of using the generator's limited resources. With Britt being home, one such use was no contest – the TV. Heaven forbid she should miss game one of her beloved Lakers. Seriously, you would not want to be in the same house with her if she could not watch her boys.
All I can say is thank goodness for generators! Extension cords were all over the house; the TV in the family room and the living room were connected, one light, and second in importance to the TV, was the refrigerator. Art had the BBQ going, and we were set.
After a few moments of luxury, it dawned on us that my mom and dad were stuck in the dark at my sister's house, while she was at work. Oops! After a quick call, they came right over, with my sister and niece showing up a bit later.
The house was in disarray, the game was going great, and my daughter could be heard above the noise of the generator. As the sun went down, I lit all the candles I could find – a few hours later, most of us were complaining of headaches. It must have been all the different fragrances from the candles. Maybe French vanilla, apple spice, and mulberry were a bit much. Oh well, we all gathered into the family room to escape the scent.
"Rock band, let's play rock band", J says. Gramcracker Wosie, was all too eager to be the first singer – her performance of "One way or another", by Blonde, was….well memorable. Grams and gramps had a blast with their first experience with this game and decided it was a requirement for their home. After all, they had to have time to practice so the next time we came together, they would kick our butts. Shorty after this, grams decided to put on a baseball cap, turn it sideways, and walk around the house like a gangsta.
Earlier in the day, J was bummed because the Senior BBQ was cancelled. By this time, he said it was the best night ever! About 10:30, the power was restored. We didn't know how to feel about this, but eventually we were happy. Britt couldn't wait to log into facebook and throw egg in the face of all her friends who always harass her for being a Laker girl, and the rest of us began to clean up the even bigger mess.
Just as everyone was getting ready to leave, we talked about why it takes a power outage to come together. I guess we all get so busy and with modern technology on our side, we forget what really matters.
This morning as I write, I am reminded of how precious time is. If we had not had this power outage, my mom and dad would have been sitting at my sister's house alone and we wouldn't have given it another thought. After all, the plan was to busy ourselves getting ready for the big party, which isn't until Saturday, and we would all meet up at the high school Friday evening for the graduation.
Funny how things turn out much better when we are forced to change our plans.
A power outage, the generator, and our family time; thank God things did not turn out the way I planned.
Excellent again Teresa. It is sad to see that in the modern world we live in that there does not seem to be that togetherness or community. As you said everyone is so busy or occupied, i imagine before tv etc that people where a lot closer and maybe happier. Its good to spend quality time with the family without the interference of modern technology. Thanks.Hi Samuel,Thanks for reading. It is funny how we take a lot of things for granted. Family time is definitely high on the list.Blessings to you! Teresa
Hi Teresa, Thanks for sharing. It has been extremely hot in Texas for the past 2 weeks especially. I wish it could remain around 75 degrees year round. I don't like real cold weather which is why I left New York but Texas heat can be a bit extreme at times. Have a great day.Hi Jena, thanks for reading!Texas sounds like a hot place :-) I much rather be hot than cold. The desert is my favorite place. Although, Oregon is very beautiful and our summers, though short, are incredible.I guess we want it all, don't we :-)Blessings! Teresa
This brought back memories of when our power went out (back when the kids were still at home) for about six hours one day. It was winter and cold, but we pulled the couches close to the fireplace, wrapped ourselves in quilts and just talked. It was a wonderful time with our kids that I will not soon forget.Hi David, that sounds like so much fun! We love fires, and since I hate the cold in Oregon, we sit around the fire often and roast Marshmellows and hang out. You learn a lot about each other this way.It's awesome to have those cherrished memories. I guess it would serve us all well if we did that when we are not "forced" to.Blessings Teresa
Hi Teresa.It's a good thing you had a generator. Both for Britt's sake and to make a rallying spot for the rest. It sounds like you all had a really great time.As always, you did a wonderful job of taking a slice of your life and showing us the lesson implicit in it. Thanks!Hugs,DianneHi Dianne :-) Yes, I do think we were still spoiled in that modern technology ( a generator) was an option.She is not a happy girl that game two is later today as she has to work. But we will all be here watching it for her :-)Thanks for the kind comments . I am ready for another one of your horse stories :-)Blessings and hugs! Tersa
hi t,i only know too well how precious things become when you no longer have them. it's a good reminder of how grateful we should be for what we do have.my best regards,sueOh man, you got that right!Blessings to you, and thanks for the e-card. You are precious :-)hugs,t
Your story reminded me of when my wife and her family came to the apt in the Valley to escape a hurricane. Sometimes these situations are just what we need.That sounds scary - but I am sure it was a special treat. I think you are right. We need these upsets. Please give a big hello and hug to Janie for me :-)
I just loved this article. It reminded me of the 'cane season in FL, which seemed to bring out the best in neighbors and friends when the power went out. Hope graduation was great!HI Grammy, thanks for reading. I am glad you enjoyed it.It is good to know that people really can come together when the chips are down. I wonder how much unnecessary tradegy happens because we (in general) do not make this a habbit when things are well and comfy.Blessings to you! Teresa
Great job, Teresa. AS they say "when life deals you lemons......."We were without power for 14 days during our ice storm a few months back. It certainly does bring people together.Thanks for sharing.SandraHi Sandra, thanks for reading :-)I thought about you when this happened. Ours was minor compared to yours, and it only lasted 7 hours. Still, long enough to get me thinking about important things we tend to take for granted.Blessings to you! Teresa
T,Yes, it reads like "One of those days"...that ends up as "That was a great day!"Thanks for sharing it with us.Thanks Ronyae, it certainly was :-)Blessings to you!
Yes my sister if on,y people could leave as one the world will be a better place to leave in, anyway goooood write up.Hi Tonye,It is true, we need to learn to live together peaceably. Thank you for reading and commenting. Blessings, Teresa
