Note: This report comes from Summer Kirkpatrick's Facebook page. To follow details and stories relayed by Summer as they arise, you can follow Summer's FB page.
October 2.
Today, again, I thank God for the blessing of family. It is because of them that I am able to do all the things that I do. Special thanks to Cousins Bill and Will Chambless.
I got pictures of my house from my Dad once he was on the road home and had cell service. The house is pretty tore up. And I find that I don’t even care. The people I love and care about are alive. Talk about a heavy dose of perspective. Hurricane Helene has given me a fierce reminder of what really matters.
Reid called again for our daily dusk conversation. We talked about the people he’s seen and reconnected with and all the relief efforts I’m working on here in Williamsburg. In the middle of our conversation, Reid gives out a whoop and a holler.
“What happened???” I asked.
“The power just came on at the garage across the street!!!” He shouted. “Wooooo hooooo!”
Our neighbor who lives across the street came running out of his house, right past his garage to see what the ruckus was. “Reid! Why are you yelling? Is it another bear?” (The bears are everywhere in town right now).
“No man! Your electricity just came on in your garage!”
The neighbor turned around to look back at his garage. “Oh my GOSH! I didn’t even notice.” He said befuddled. “Are the light working at the cottage?!” (This is the undamaged Air b n b Reid is staying in while he works on cleaning up the neighborhood). I hear the sound of Reid running up the porch steps and flipping the switch. “Nothing.” He mumbles.
“Nah. No electricity here.”
“Hey Reid, what’s that you’re eating?”
“A smushed chili dog that the neighbor up the street cooked for me.”
“Come over here! I’m grilling steak. Let’s have a beer and celebrate in the garage.”
“Darlin’, I’m gonna say goodnight. I’m going to celebrate. I love you.”
I love this town.
