Rita

I’ve often thought of Lehi’s family
Leaving everything behind in Jerusalem:
Home,
Gold,
Silver,
Respect,
And going to live in a tent in the wilderness.

And poor Sariah,
Going from living in a house in the city
Filled with servants.
To living in a cramped and dusty tent
Filled with bickering sons.

This summer we moved to Texas.
In June, July and August
We unpacked.
Picked the perfect shades of orange, blue and green.
Painted,
Arranged,
Accessorized,
And got our first “grown-up” house in perfect shape.

And in September,
We left it all behind.

Like Lehi’s family
We took what we could carry:
A bucket of toys, a cow blankie, air mattresses.
Loaded the kids in the van,
Took one last look,
And drove away.

As Rita approached,
We watched CNN around the clock,
From the safety of our brother’s tiny Dallas apartment,
Straining to accommodate five new people.

I had expected to be worried about
My children’s scrapbooks,
The new couches,
And the state of my Kitchen Aid mixer.

But I wasn’t anxious about what I left.
Just thankful to know
That the bickering of my children in the next room
Meant that all of my most important possessionsWere safe from this storm.

Oct. 30, 2005