Be prepared to lose everything, at least once

“If you live on the water be prepared to lose everything you own at least once in your lifetime.

That’s what we always heard.

When Hurricane Opal hit Pensacola the storm surge was high, even here in Panama City.

We moved off the harbor to a home more inland.

We had planned to stay for Hurricane Michael. It was our son who lives in Enterprise, Alabama, who convinced us to leave and stay with him.

We left at 4 a.m.

A lot of people don’t leave because they are afraid.

Afraid they won’t be able to get back in.

Afraid of looting.

My mother is 85-years-old and lives in a nursing home nearby. She was another reason we didn’t want to leave. But they ended up evacuating her before the storm hit.

We have lived in Panama City all of our lives. My husband was 15-years-old when he moved across the street from my family. We started dating two years later and we have been together ever since. Married for 46 years.

I can’t imagine going through this without family.

This has been one of the hardest things we have ever been through.

The hardest because we can’t see the end.

You know it will get better, but you can’t see how.

I retired from Bay District Schools in 2015 after 20 years.

My husband retired from the papermill in 2012. He worked there for 40 years.

He did every job at the mill but ended his career as the Pulp Mill Superintendent.

We had a big party at the Martin House when he retired.

After the storm, WestRock, the company that owns the paper mill gave gas, ice and water to current and retired employees. You could go to the mill and take a hot shower or wash clothes. You don’t see companies treat people like that much anymore.

We shared our gas, ice and water with our neighbors. That was one of the best things about the storm. All the fences were down. Neighbors were talking and sharing supplies. We depended on each other to get through those days. 

This is not how we want to spend our retirement years. Living in our camper in our driveway.

 We couldn’t leave though. This is home. Our families are here.

We have had to learn to have lots of patience. Things don’t move quick. Little things take a long time. Everyone here is just moving a little bit slower.”