Searching for Christmas Miracles After Hurricane Michael

Hurricane Michael came ashore near Panama City, Florida on October 10 of this year. For three terrifying hours, the near category 5 winds twisted and broke huge tree trunks like they were twigs. Not only shingles, but entire roofs were lifted from their walls. Those families who chose to stay, or as was the more common scenario, could not evacuate huddled together and did the only thing that they could do ... pray.

When the storm moved further inland, the rains and winds subsided. Residents returned to find varying degrees of damage to their homes, cars, and property. A lucky few found their homes still intact with only minor damage from uprooted trees and flying debris. But for the majority of the Panama City area the damage was unimaginable.

For the people of these communities, life after Hurricane Michael continues to be a challenge as they search for the miracle of normalcy in the midst of chaos.

We have visited our dear friends, Tami and Billy, a number of times in the past few years when our travels brought us to Panama City, Florida. They provided a comfortable resting place for the Wildebeest on their horse farm property when we drove back to Minnesota for Christmas one year. Luscious trees and friendly folks made us feel right at home whether on the farm or at their home in the city.

We followed the news closely and prayed for them when we saw that Hurricane Michael had made a direct hit near their town of Lynn Haven. We were very relieved to hear that aside from many toppled trees causing minor damage, their house and farm buildings were still structurally intact. Last week when we were in the area, we made a trip to Panama City to catch up with Tami and Billy. I know that the damage to their community was bad, but I don't think I was prepared for the severity of destruction still evident two months after the storm.

As we drove up to their farm, we began to realize how much had changed. The farm house and stable had escaped serious damage, but over 70 trees were lost on the property. The lush foliage that had been this boondocker's delight was gone. The remaining trees, confused because they had lost all their leaves in the storm, were starting to bud out as if it was spring. The orange satsuma tree managed to hold on to a few of its tasty fruits, but we will have to wait another year (fingers crossed) for the luscious grapefruit to return.

The horses, Yogi and Panda, had just recently returned from their hurricane hideout. With outdoor fencing in need of repair, their area to graze has been greatly reduced. But they seemed grateful to have a (barn) roof over their heads and a carrot treat from their Minnesota friends.

As we drove back into town, huge piles of tree branches, trunks and root balls were piled up along every boulevard waiting to be hauled away. Blue tarps covered the roofs of almost every house. Piles of damaged household goods, carpets, and dry wall were still being dragged out of houses. And most devastating, the occasional open spaces where a house once stood ... Michael had damaged some houses beyond repair.

Arriving at Tami's house, I praised God that her home was still standing relatively unscathed. During dinner, we sat down to catch up on the changes that the hurricane had brought to their lives and their community. 

Changes like ...

Power, water, and cell service for Panama City and surrounding areas was out for many weeks. Two months after the storm, cable TV is still not been fully restored, forcing 87 year old "Grandpa Billy" to have to try to remember what he did for entertainment in the "good old days".

80% of all buildings in the county were destroyed or severely damaged including many local businesses. This has resulted in many people losing their jobs. This also has made simple tasks like getting groceries ... or simple pleasures like going out to dinner much more difficult.

With so homes destroyed or uninhabitable due to water damage and mold, many families have been forced to move into trailers parked in their driveways or into temporary housing further out of town. Daily commute times (and traffic) have greatly increased.

Bay Medical Center, one of two hospitals in the area, remains closed due to extensive water and wind damage. Easy access to health care is currently not so easy for city residents.

But most heartbreaking of all is the impact the storm had on the children in the community. Tami works as a school nurse for special needs students and has seen the emotional impact that Hurricane Michael has had on her most vulnerable students. Parents are struggling to get their children the medications and treatments that they need. With all the damage that the hurricane caused, these special needs children are also trying to cope with the loss of familiar surroundings, clothing, and toys.

It is difficult to see how one could stay hopeful in the midst of so much devastation. But there is hope and healing emerging from the pain. Many area church buildings also sustained damage from the storm, but we also heard and witnessed how the church communities are coming together to support their members and the community. From distributing meals and needed supplies right after the storm, to filling Christmas gift bags to give to area students, the faith community is helping people to see the "small miracles" that emerged from the storm. 

Even though Hurricane Michael took out every
tree in Sharon McLaughlin's Panama City garden ...
her hand-made cross did not waver!

Some miracles that Tami and Billy shared with us:

The miracle of really getting to know your neighbors as you work together to clear the tumbled trees.

The miracle of thinking of others as you offer your spare bedroom to a young adult who had lost her home.

The miracle of giving up your weekend to help family and friends get items out of their moldy house because the insurance money doesn't even come close to covering the cost of both tear-down and repairs.

The miracle of a change of mindset from "why did we get spared?" to "how can we use what we have to help others?"

The miracle of gathering in a high school auditorium to support each other through the gift of prayer and music. Hiland Park Baptist Church, like much of its faith community members, sustained a lot of damage from the storm forcing them to find a temporary worship space. Their message of hope is strengthening the assembly of believers as they work together to rebuild their community.

We really wished that we could have spent more time helping out in Panama City. But being in the midst of selling our RV, we needed to make our way to central Florida. What could we do to help out a little during our short visit?? All the small miracles that we had seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael reminded me of one of my favorite quotes ...

And then it came to me ... Tami had commented that with all the clean-up activities, she didn't know how "Christmas" was going to happen this year. 

I had my answer ... we could be the Christmas elves!

Doug became the "Christmas tree
assembly and light electrician" elf!

And I was overjoyed to take over Tami's
kitchen and become the "bake a batch
or three of Christmas cookies" elf!

Christmas miracles are found in the smiles of those we love ...

... like Grandpa Billy, the
"87 year old hurricane survivor" elf!

And in the miracles that greet us with each new day.

Until next time ... Be the miracle to those around you ... and enjoy the adventures in your life!

Maggie really wants to be the "are you
sure that you don't need me to taste test
that yummy food on your plate" elf!

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