October 1, 2026

It's hard to believe that almost two years ago, I was living in Sarasota, loving life and keeping an eye on the Gulf. It was a busy hurricane season in 2024.

I had just returned from New York City with Blaze of Hope for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. I was working, volunteering, and just living life.

I had bought my mobile home in Sarasota about a year earlier. It was paid for, updated, and mine. I loved that place. It wasn’t fancy, but it was home. And because it was mine, I was proud of it. I was making plans for some renovations and thinking about what I wanted to do next.

In October 2023, I hosted the BEST Halloween party for our Soiree crew from church. We decorated, dressed up, laughed, ate, drank, and had such a great time. Looking back at these pictures now, I can’t help but smile. There was a lot of life happening in that little home.

Then came Milton.

We knew a storm was coming, but honestly, I wasn’t overly worried.

After 31 hurricane seasons in Florida, you learn how to prepare without panicking. Sarasota had never really taken direct hits, so while I was watching the weather and paying attention to the reports, I wasn’t sitting there thinking I was about to lose everything.

I was prepared. I just wasn’t panicked.

As the reports came in, I knew I was going to evacuate. I just didn’t know when.

We all watched the weather, listened to the updates, and started thinking about what I would need to do when it was time to go.

At that point, it was just another hurricane to prepare for.

I do not think any of us had any idea what was coming.

I just knew there was a hurricane in the Gulf.

And I was getting ready. Life has a way of coming at ya. And God has a way of being where you're going already...

Funny how that happens...

Keep it Simple.

God Loves You.

And so do I.