I chose to skip the disaster displayed on Sunday and focus my text on the natural disaster that occurred on Friday. One reason being because I am a sore loser and the other because my parents live in one of the cities torn a part by the tornado that made its way through central Florida this weekend.
Prior to my captivating news report let me tell you a little bit about the Villages, FL where my parents reside…..
Only those 65+ are able to take up residence in this community of 60,000. The streets are full of Cadillacs and Buicks, everyone owns a golf cart and golf cart passages lead to every possible place one would want to go. It has its own hospital, shopping centers and restaurants are fully occupied each night by 5:30 p.m. for the ‘early bird special’ of course. It is Disney World for the elderly. Oddly enough they even have a Starbucks. Doesn’t seem like the $4.25 a cup clientele to me but I also thought the Bears had a winning chance at the Super bowl so what do I know?!
A couple years ago while visiting, Rich and I took advantage the “grandparents baby-sitting service” and went on a date.....an interesting experience in a retirement village. We stopped in Starbucks for an evening treat and found that Rich went to college with one of the employees. He not only generously comped our lattes he gave us his weekly-benefit, pound of coffee. He said it was just so refreshing to have someone “that knew what to order”. He went on to explain that most of his customers come in and ask for “a coffee”. He then asks “what kind of coffee” and after the customer’s blank stare he proceeds to try to explain the coffee varieties available and by the time he gets to the sizing…tall, grande, low-fat, half-calf….the response is always, “I just want a coffee”.
Sorry, I drifted with that last story; perhaps because I stayed up all night for one 14 second highlight. And returning to the news…..
Friday night SA time my brother alerted me to the tornado and to the fact that my parents were fine! Thank you Lord! I quickly clicked over to MSNBC and sure enough it was headline news. I read the stories of the tragedy…hundreds of homes destroyed, 14 killed (the report at the time) even the cameo of the precious older gentlemen huddling in his closet holding his wife praying while listening to the sounds of their roof being ripped off. The heart pounding report of the devastation ended with, “Walt Disney in Orlando remains unaffected”……PHEW, I was relieved to hear that though hundreds are homeless and people lost their lives at least Mickey was a-okay! Gotta love American media!
Congrats Mom and Dad you made national news and you trumped the disastrous Bears (pathetic) attempt at the Super bowl title….at least in my blog anyway.
13 comments:
I'm glad your parents are fine. My parents live in Honolulu, Hawaii, and when that earthquake hit the Hawaiian islands late last year I panicked.
By the way, my condolences for the Bears' disastrous loss. At least they looked good in the beginning. :-)
Man that was a rough game, sorry you had to stay up to watch it. But on a positive note - happy to hear your parents are okay.
As usual though the coaches are both full of class. I love that.
As for your parents...thank Jesus they are okay. The only thing that would have made that MORE American media would have been...
"Walt Disney in Orlando remains unaffected and democrats are calling for President Bush's resignation for creating the storm."
So glad your parents are okay. It must be hard sometimes to be so far from them.
Such a shame about your Bears, huh? It started out so promising...
I'm happy all the family in Florida are fine. I was concerned about Mikey and friends too. You know, Michelle, for me Disney World is really "The Happiest Place On Earth". I LOVE DISNEY WORLD. I've been there so many times I can't count them all.
By the way, it's really, really cold (without snow) here in New York City. WHERE'S THE DANG SNOW?!!!
Yes, it was quite a disaster with over 1200 homes damaged or obliterated. Lots of touching stories in our papers the past few days.
A few corrections though Michelle; we are a 55+ community and there are four starbucks here now.
That was a little exaggerated story about us "oldies" ordering at Starbucks. The places are usually packed and most (except the true Bohemians like your Dad) order lattes, etc. (even he does occasionaly).
We just thank the Lord for His mercy and grace!!
P.S. What a bummer for the Bears (and we watched it on an 8' TV screen at some friends house yet).
Mom
Wow! Glad your parents are okay.
I'm from Indiana, but I didn't really care who won. I was kind of hoping for the Bears just for your sake. : )
Sorry about the game, Michelle. I watched some of it just for you...I was so happy with the first TD.
Glad your folks are safe. The news was so horrible. Our kids lived through a hurricane in Mexico last year on their honeymoon. It was scary, buy after 17 days they made it home safely.
Your mama cracks me up.
Wow... Florida has the worst disasters... not sure the "good weather" could get me to live there... But I am so glad that your parents are okay.
And, I mourned, too...except for that first play, it was pretty much a really boring game...
I'm so glad to hear your parents are OK! I love Vern and Millie! On the other note - I know you are a notorious sore loser and that's why it pains me to say this, "Yeah, Colts!!!" :) You know I love you!
Oh, Jason says, "Notorious sore loser? ... Combos anyone?"
So glad your parents are okay!
Hey- I watched the game this year! - in between my loads of lice laundry.
LOVED your mom's comment!
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