In September of 2017, a hurricane made a direct hit on Lakeland, FL. I was forced to evacuate as power was knocked out to my home for ten days. The one thing I was sure was lost, that I regretted most, was my mother’s final message on my answering machine (I talk about it on my post about ‘April 23′). There was no way it could survive ten days without power.

Yet, somehow, it did. On a phone base without a battery backup.

Of course, there is an explanation, if you believe in these sorts of things. The storm came directly through my neighborhood and changed my life literally for the better. I was forced into the arms of the woman I love. I’ve come up with a dozen new writing ideas. My life now seems better than ever. And in that midst, this one small tangible miracle. The name of the storm?

Hurricane Irma.

My mother’s name. If you believe in those sorts of things…