Family is Stubborn
I am so frustrated with my family. They received an evacuation order for hurricane Irene, but told me "We're going to ride it out, it's not going to hit us". I screamed and cursed and pleaded, but they don't seem to want to leave their "things". God, I hope they're right. I'd go drag them out myself, but all transit has been suspended. How could they be so cavalier with their lives? Why even risk it when they could wait out the storm inland with my grandparents?
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As we grow older, we also become more stubborn commonly. I know it\'s silly for them to do this, but your parents are grown just like you are and you have to let them make their own decisions, even if they\'re stupid ones. You can try to influence their decisions, but they\'re going to do what they want. I\'m sure they\'ll be fine. Just have faith in God to send his angels to watch over them.
Thanks, and I\'ve been praying for just that, but a joke my old scout priest used to say keeps coming back to me (and feels less like a joke now):
A man is trapped in his house during a flood, when the water reached the first floor, a man in a raft said, \"Sir, please let me save you\", to which the man replied \"God, will save me\". Soon the waters forced the man to the second floor and out the window, a man on a motor boat saw him and said \"Sir, please let me save you\", to which the man replied \"God, will save me\". Then the man was forced to his roof when a helicopter pilot spotted him and said \"Sir, please let me save you\", to which the man replied \"God, will save me\". Sadly the man drowned and met with God. The man asked God, \"Lord, why didn\'t you save me in life\", to which God responded \"My child, I sent you a raft, a boat and a helicopter\".
Unfortunately this situation is similar to one where a family member is living with an abusive partner or spouse, and you are frantically trying to tell them to leave. They will tell you everything they think you want to hear, including that they are going to leave the partner \"tomorrow,\" or \"after I get through this crisis,\" or \"when I can afford it.\" You get the point and scream till you are blue in the face, but at the end of the day, they just are not ready to hear what you have to say. They are saying all the right things, but nothing is improving. The bottom line is, they will get out when they are ready, and not a minute before. In the meantime, they are fully responsible for everything they lose to that abusive partner. The same goes with your parents. The sad reality is that they may lose their lives or a significant part of their health by refusing to obey orders. Still, they will get out when they are ready, and not a minute before. The good news is that in the meantime, they are fully responsible for everything they lose to the storm. This releases you from all responsibility in the matter. I know this does not seem like a lot right now, but in the long run it is the only fact you have to hold on to. And if you heed these facts, they can save you a lot of self-imposed guilt in the long run. I would encourage you to try to prepare for the worst and leave the results to destiny. This is really all you can do. Hugs, and please keep us posted!
Thanks Jen, it may not have made me feel better, but at least it gave me peace of mind knowing I did all I could. Luckily my family is okay. The truly heavy stuff missed them by only 1 block. Where they got 6 inches of water, 1 block away they got 4 feet of water. I am still a bit furious that they could be so irresponsible with their lives, but mostly just grateful that they are okay.
I know exactly what you mean about wondering why nature takes care of those who directly disrespect its power. Do you think your parents also got some kind of satisfaction over seeing how upset you were about it? Sometimes family members who have control issues are especially vulnerable to this type of behavior. Anyway, grateful with you that they survived by a narrow margin.