Books helped me escape when I couldn’t
Great books have always made life more fun but when devastation came to our home town, I discovered that the escape of a great book is absolutely essential. We all consume the written word in different ways and for different reasons. My husband reads to improve himself. Many people read to be informed aGnd stay current. Perhaps we read to stay abreast of juicy gossip or as a pleasant way to pass time. These all are good reasons, productive even. And then there is the category where some of us find ourselves… Those who NEED to read.
Some time ago our area experienced a devastating flood. For several days we were cut off from the outside world, roads were impassable, cell towers were down and utilities were inoperable. It was a scary situation as access to hospitals and groceries were limited. I found myself home with seven of my nine children. From quieting fears to figuring out how to boil water on a grill, it was exhausting.
Emotional survival in a disaster
The physical tasks of hauling water for flushing and using candles and flashlights at dusk were to be expected. What I was unprepared for was the emotional wear and tear this disaster would bring about. Firstly, I became very aware of the amount of fear we were dealing with. There was concern about just getting our necessities. Then there was an overwhelming sorrow and worry for the people around us, some of whom lost their homes and even their lives. As a family we walked the streets around us looking for neighbors to see if they were alright. The suffering around us was impossible to ignore and the fear that it would get worse before it got better was stifling.
I found myself desperately working to manage my feelings. At the same time I was working to help my children manage their feelings (wearying)! My husband and older sons were busy working and serving in the community and they too needed extra support. By the end of the day I would be physically exhausted but even more I would be emotionally used up!
When tackling a problem, it’s no surprise that emotional equilibrium plays an important part. However, I now believe it is the single most critical quality when facing a disaster. It turns out that when a person is less emotionally balanced they can miss solutions to problems right in front of them. They can become angry and even dangerous instead of resolving difficulties. In a life or death situation the consequences of not tending to your own emotional balance can be fatal. This was on display everywhere I looked after the flood. Those who managed well (regardless of the level of damage they personally experienced) were able to stay even-keeled.
Great books and emotional equilibrium
My family members had different ways of maintaining this emotional equilibrium. My married daughter spent as much time as possible with her husband. Some of my children played board games or spent time out of doors after the hurricane. My husband and older children found relief as they eased the suffering of others. I personally found that at the end of the day I required an escape of sorts. If I could mentally go somewhere else and put the worries on hold, the next day I could face whatever came.
My escape has usually come in the form of great books, specifically clean urban fantasy. So I was forever grateful that I had several downloaded on my phone and a bookshelf of backup sanity-savers. I learned many things during the disaster. I learned my children are resilient, that the worst can bring out the best in people and that I can do nearly anything if I have a good book.
Whether you read for information, for pleasure or to escape without booking a flight, isn’t the written word wonderful?
Keep Reading! -Eva
