Refugee

I still don't have power. They are now saying it will be mid-week next week before everyone who can receive power to their home is back up. I've shifted my thinking from "maybe tomorrow" to "hopefully next week." I'm one of the most fortunate people in town though. I have a place to stay where there is power, hot water, and heat. The cable and internet connection is spotty, but even that is reliable enough that I can rely on my typical coping mechanisms for stress relief.

I'm still at my friend T.'s mom's place and taking it one day at a time. I may go to city west of here over the weekend and stay with L. just for a break from all of this. Her city has been affected too, but her area seems okay. She at least has power, as do her mom and grandmother.

I spent some time at my place this morning. I've missed PPBob and have been concerned for her staying in the cold apartment. She seems fine though. When I got there today, I climbed into bed and pulled the covers over my head with her in my arms. We stayed there for an hour or more. She played with me for a long while, and climbed all over me. Then she laid down and went to sleep leaning against my stomach. I fell asleep too. It was short, but it was a taste of home.

The seminary has wifi in spots and enough heat and power to make it possible to be there, so I'll go into the office tomorrow. Several staff and faculty families have been living at the seminary for the past few days. It won't be business as usual tomorrow, but I'm hoping it will provide enough sense of the usual routine that I won't feel completely exhausted at the end of the day. One of the great mysteries of the past few days is how it can be so tiring to do nothing. Hmmm...