prepared.

I just got back from a wonderfully relaxing and adventurous vacation, and under normal circumstances, would be spilling all the details...like getting guest listed by the headliner of a show we weren't planning on going to OR having a different headliner invite you and your friend to come and hang while they prep for their show...and buy you coffee. Yeah, it was a great time. I love the south and almost everything about it! But my last day in Charleston, I woke up to news of the devastation in Japan.

I don't really know why this particular tragedy is sticking with me so much or why it is making me think differently about my own preparation for a disaster...but it is. For the last (almost) 30 years, disaster preparation was for school or work, and I never once thought that I should transfer that to my home. Maybe it's because I am older and realize how precious life is and how fast time passes that my point of view is shifting. Up to two days ago, I was completely unprepared for any kind of disaster.

This is not a 'Chicken Little' post where I am calling out that "the sky is falling!" I am not overly worried or paranoid...but the reality is that I live in a state that has the potential for fairly large earthquakes. Also, I happen to live about 15 miles from a nuclear power plant. To not be prepared for something, even somewhat minor, is foolish. The situation in Japan has made that glaringly clear. To pretend that we can't/won't have the potential of something similar is also foolish. It is inevitable that somewhere in California, possibly near where I live, that an earthquake of high magnitude will happen at some point in my life. Why not be prepared? That day could be days, weeks, months, even years away...but at least now I can say I am somewhat prepared.

I am not writing all of this to encourage people to live fear filled lives with impending doom ever lingering at the back of their minds. God has our days numbered...only He knows how and when we'll go. Until then, we should live a life of trust. However, I would love it if during a disaster, my preparedness was able to help someone else in need. I would also love it if this post encourages you to make a little kit so that you too can be ready.

I went out and bought some water (recommended 1 gallon per person per day) for three days, canned goods that don't need cooking (i.e. tuna, beans, fruit), crackers, granola bars, a couple of flashlights and some cups/etc. My roommate strongly suggested we add diet coke to that list...ha. I made sure that we had a few candles and matches set aside just in case. That's all for now. I have a gallon of water in my car and a blanket...and we have tools and extra blankets in our apartment. If you want a more extensive list, go here. No matter where you live, there really is no reason why you shouldn't take a little time and a little extra money to have something prepared. So I ask, are you...prepared?