Even though we are 20 or so years away from it, my husband
and I have been talking about retirement plans lately.
I want to move to Iceland where there are no mosquitoes. He
wants to move to Florida where there exists more mosquitoes than in any other
state in the U.S.A.
Besides the prolific insect populations (and alligators),
the other reason I am hesitant to move there are the hurricanes. How often have
we been hearing about people who have lost everything because of a hurricane?
Often!
If you can’t tell, I did not grow up near a large body of
water. My husband did; it’s called the Atlantic Ocean. We have been living in a
part of the country I’m used to for the past 20 years surrounded by corn
fields, green grass, tall trees and cricks, otherwise known as “creeks.”
He’s given up what he loves for my comfort, so it’s only
right I at least consider living out our golden years where he feels most at
home.
That said, I’m still uneasy. So I prayed, “Lord, is there anything
out there that can stand up to a hurricane?” It turns out there is. There are a
few options actually, but the one that caught my eye is a round home.
Believe it or not, round homes are tornado, earthquake and
hurricane resistant. I guess no one can claim hurricane-proof, because, let’s
face it, stuff happens. But the few companies I found that make round homes
have testimonials of round home owners who have lived through recent hurricanes
and their houses emerged unscathed. Cool, huh?
So all this got me to
thinking about whether or not it’s possible for writers to “life-proof” their
writing.
I’m coming off a three-week unscheduled, unwanted hiatus
from my cherished writing schedule. Life happened.
My father-in-law could no longer live on his own, so we
found a way for him to move in with us until better arrangements can be made. I
contracted a stomach virus that left me incoherent for 10 days. Our youngest
daughter caught a cold that turned into a lung infection. I could go on, but I
think you get the idea.
Maybe for some life-proofing their writing is possible. What
does that really mean but to choose writing every time something comes up? I
commend everyone with that kind of determination and discipline. You rock! My
hope is to join your ranks someday.
But for me, now, I’m thinking life-resistant writing is a
pretty good option. So what does that mean? I think it means to have a writing
schedule, to have a plan, but also to be flexible so when life happens you can
resist the guilt and hopelessness that inevitably comes.
Your heart for writing hasn’t gone away, it’s just
weathering the latest storm. And when the wind calms and the water stills, you
pick up where you left off.
Humbly submitted by H.T. Lord
