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I think my kids might be getting a distorted view of hurricanes.  It's true we live in the 'belt' and are likely to get hit at any time, but the fact that none really hit us has not gone unnoticed by them.

I've heard questions like: "Why don't the hurricanes like us, Dad?"

I considered some sarcastic response like: "They're a different religion than we are."

Also, once again proving that intelligence can be double edged, they often ask further questions.  "Why do we only put 'X's on the windows?  What about other letters?"  "Do we bring our bikes in the house because they're afraid of the storm, too?"  "Why do we go to Aunt Shirley's when the wind starts to blow?  She makes more wind than the storm."

A parent can often become confused.  Sometimes I get bombarded with these and other questions so quickly and from multiple sources at once that my responses are less than intelligible.  This is probably just as well since I seldom have appropriate answers to any of their queries, except to say that a hurricane is headed our way.  Just in case you hadn't guessed, that answer is often insufficient for their curious little minds.

Many answers don't completely satisfy youthful curiosity and yet we continue to try and provide solutions for our children so they'll grow up with understanding.  We help them with their homework, explain unusual things on the television, carefully keep them from harm in dangerous situations, and generally help form their minds to grow up and become stable adults and caring parents.

So, as teachers, we protect them by hiding from the path of the storm, or persevering in the face of the storm, and (hopefully?) showing the wisdom to know the difference.  These lessons will help children as they face life in their own futures.

I've been asked on many occasions why I don't run from storms.  I, personally, am not easily frightened.  In fact, in all my life, the thing that's frightened me the most is...

Being a father.

Al Musitano