Charleston On My Mind

“In reality, you don’t ever change the hurricane. You just learn how to stay out of its path.”
― Jodi Picoult

If you follow my blog, you know that Charleston, SC is a very special place for me.  My first teaching position took me to Charleston, SC.  I had the pleasure of calling Charleston my home for five years.  Although I left Charleston, Charleston never left me.

One of the harshest lessons I learned while living in Charleston was

how devastating the impact of a hurricane can be.  I lived in Charleston when Hurricane Hugo made its way onshore.  I was very naïve at the time.  I had no idea what kind of destruction a hurricane might bring.  I remember putting our belongings up on things in order to protect them in case water came into our apartment.  After securing our place, we evacuated the city in order to stay safe.

I will never forget driving back to Charleston after the storm.  I was in no way prepared for the sights that I would encounter.  Entire forests of trees were snapped like toothpicks.  Houses were completely torn from their foundations.  People throughout Charleston and surrounding areas were combing through debris trying to salvage precious family memories.   I discovered that my apartment did not survive the storm.  A large oak tree in my apartment complex fell on the apartment above me, completely destroying it.  I was so fortunate to  have the chance to go in to salvage my belongings.

This evening, as I reflect upon those memories, I pray for Charleston and all who are in the path the incoming storm.

I will share now images from my most recent trip to the city I love, Charleston.  These images were taken Labor Day weekend.

Wherever you are, I hope you are safe.  I also hope that Charleston can escape the devastation that a storm can bring.