Dear Editor,
On one of the darkest days of the year, the skies in my area turned a brilliant purple at sunset after Hurricane Michael passed through. How can it be, how can it happen on such a dreadful and dreaded day?
Was God trying to send us a message? Why on the darkest, scariest and most frightening day would he open the skies and provide a beautiful sunset?
Sometimes it is only when you experience the darkness that you can appreciate the light.
On the night before the hurricane, my family went to bed with the imminent threat of the hurricane on our minds not knowing what tomorrow would bring. We’ve been through many hurricane seasons and warnings before. But this time was different.
As always, we did all of the necessary preparations to ensure our safety. We bought bottled water, food, generator, boarded up the house and prayed for our and others’ safety.
That night, surprisingly, I slept comfortably and peacefully. I heard no rain or wind.
At sunrise, my wife woke up in a panic and wanted to evacuate. She heard that we were going to be hit by the hurricane. I wanted to stay, but I agreed to leave. For some people, the hurricane can be a terrifying experience.
I woke up the children to prepare to evacuate. Minutes after, the hurricane turned away from us. So we didn’t evacuate.
Although the city near us was wiped out by the hurricane, we were not touched. At noon, I returned to work.
At sunset, something uniquely and unbelievably exciting happened. The most amazing and awesome sunset appeared. Florida is known for the best sunsets in the world, and I’ve seen countless. But this sunset was unlike any other.
How do I explain that a day that began with the threat of a hurricane and great danger suddenly ended with the most beautiful sunset?
How do I explain a day that started with fear and destruction ended with such a beautiful sunset?
How do I explain going from feelings of paranoia and panic to feelings of euphoria in only a few hours.
Despite the hurricanes, I believe that the great state of Florida is one the best states in the United States of America.
Its year-round sunshine, pure white sandy beaches and blue water makes make me feel like I’m living in a paradise. The only disadvantage with living in Florida is the hurricanes.
Editor, what a day. What a paradox. At night, we are going to bed facing growing danger. At sunrise, we are planning to evacuate. At sunset, we are enjoying the most beautiful sunset on God’s planet.
By the end of this day, I was left with more questions than answers.
Yours faithfully,
Anthony Pantlitz
