Fight-or-Flight

"Fight-or-Flight, an acute stress response, is the physiological reaction when your body is faced with something mentally or physically terrifying." Dear Readers, It seems like I just finished writing about how the "fog has lifted" in my last blog and suddenly the world became darker again. On Saturday January 13th around 6:30 am, while we were still in bed, a large pine tree in our backyard snapped and crashed in our bedroom and then into Evie's room. There are no sound words in the English language that accurately describe the loud noises and shake made by an angry 100', 5-10-ton tree that falls through the ceiling above your head. Terrifying is the most accurate word I use to describe this event to others. "Thankful to be alive" quickly follows. If you've been following my blog, you'll know I'm fairly new on the job and had some early challenges with adjusting to motherhood. I've shared that aspects of motherhood didn't come naturally and had to be learned. As I sit here and reflect on this event, I can honestly tell you that as soon as I heard/felt the hit on our side of the hall, I knew I had to get to Evie as soon as possible. Nick and I ran across the hall to her room. This was the first time I had experienced the fight-or-flight response as a mother, and it was instinct. I may have doubted my instincts early on, but no more. I learned that I would be that mother who dives into a frozen lake or runs into a burning house if my baby was in danger. Act. Think. In that order. Those ten seconds to get to her room felt like ten years... When we got to her door, we opened it to find the tree laying across her ceiling. Part it had broken and busted into her window. This was about four feet from her crib. Debris was everywhere except around and inside of her crib. Most importantly, there was fourteen-month-old Evie. She was safe and clean inside her crib, startled and crying of course but completely untouched. Nick reached in to grab her and hand her to me, then we ran into the kitchen for safety.

Fast forward and we are now dealing with the emotional aftermath and rebuild of our home. Shoutout to our wonderful "village" for helping us put our life back together (family, friends and professionals). Nick, Evie, Griswold (dog), Skye (cat) and I are a bit geographically scattered but are all safe and staying with family. I know this season of inconvenience is a temporary one and I am just truly thankful to be here writing this blog. Anyone who has lived through a natural disaster can attest that you are forever changed and have a new set of priorities. I have probably said enough prayers of gratitude for everyone in New England this week. The fog is once again lifting. I can only assume we experienced a "Miracle on Meriden" that morning.