Melanie was a six-year-old girl who had always wanted a family. She had been in foster care since she was two years old, too young to remember her real parents.
She often thought about them and wondered, “Who were they? Did they love me?” These thoughts made her sad, and she’d ask herself, “Why didn’t they want me?” But despite her sadness, Melanie never gave up hope.
Then one day, something amazing happened, something Melanie had been praying for.
A social worker visited Melanie one day, bringing a young couple with her. The man winked at Melanie with a grin, and the woman had the kindest eyes Melanie had ever seen.
“This is Gordon and Helen,” the social worker said, “and they want to adopt you.”
“They do?” Melanie gasped, then looked at them and asked, “Why do you want to do that?”
Gordon was surprised by the question, but Helen knelt down to Melanie’s level and said, “We want to adopt you because we think you’re the nicest, funniest, and prettiest girl in New York City.”
Melanie smiled brightly and hugged Helen. She finally had a family that wanted and loved her just the way she was.
Living with Gordon and Helen, Melanie found out that having parents was both wonderful and difficult. It was great to have two people always caring for her, but it was tough because they noticed when she didn’t do her homework or did something she shouldn’t.
In her foster home, it was easy to get away with things since there were so many kids. But in a real family, people paid attention because they cared. Melanie realized this was a good thing, and when Helen asked her to clean her room, she hugged her and said, “Thank you!”
Helen laughed and said, “I should tell you off more often, Melanie!”
“Yes, please!” Melanie replied. “Then I’ll know you care.”
Six months passed, and the little family grew closer. They learned about each other’s habits—Melanie knew to be quiet in the mornings because Gordon worked night shifts, and Gordon stopped scaring her with plastic spiders after learning she was genuinely scared.
Helen discovered both Gordon and Melanie loved peanut butter cookies, and they’d all sit together on the porch, eating them as fast as they could.
Life was happy, but then something bad happened. Gordon got hurt at work and had to stay in the hospital for weeks. Helen became more worried as the bills piled up.
Melanie noticed and would often comfort Helen at night, sneaking into her bed to give her a hug. “Thank God for you, Melanie,” Helen would say softly.
Thankfully, Gordon recovered and came home, though he had to use crutches. But soon, medical bills arrived, and Helen looked more and more worried. “We’ll sort it out,” Gordon said, trying to stay calm.
“Our savings are gone,” Helen whispered. “What if Melanie needs something, and we don’t have the money?”
Gordon reassured her, saying, “Trust in God.” Then, turning to Melanie, he joked, “Hey, I think there are some peanut butter cookies hiding on the top shelf.”
One morning, Melanie woke up to a loud noise—a party whistle in her ear! She opened her eyes to see her room full of balloons. Gordon and Helen were standing by her bed, wearing silly hats and yelling, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
Melanie smiled. “I forgot it was my birthday!”
“Come on,” said Gordon. “There’s a surprise!”
In the dining room, a big banner read “Happy Birthday, Melanie!” and on the table was the most beautiful birthday cake she had ever seen.
“Is this for me?” she whispered, amazed. She saw her name on the cake, surrounded by stars.
“It has my name on it!” Melanie cried and burst into tears.
Gordon and Helen were worried. “Why are you crying?” Gordon asked gently.
“I’ve never had a birthday cake before!” Melanie sobbed. “Does this mean you love me? Really, really love me?”
Gordon and Helen hugged her tightly. “Of course we love you!” Helen said. “We chose YOU!”
It was the best birthday Melanie had ever had, and even though she ate too much cake and got a little sick, it was a day filled with happiness.
The next morning, the family was getting ready for church when there was a knock at the door. A tall man stood there. “Are you Melanie’s adoptive mother?” he asked Helen.
“Yes,” Helen replied. “Who are you?”
“I’m a friend of her birth father,” the man said. “I’d like to see her.”
“You can’t take her away!” Helen cried, panicking.
“I’m not here to take her,” the man said gently. “I just want to talk to her.”
Helen and Gordon sat nearby, holding hands, while the man spoke to Melanie. “My dear,” he began, “your mommy and daddy loved you very much. But your mom went to heaven when you were a baby, and soon after, your dad got very sick.”
Melanie listened carefully. “Your dad wanted to make sure you were taken care of, so he asked me to sell everything he had for you.”
The man handed Melanie a piece of paper. “He wanted you to have this when you turned eighteen, or when you were adopted by a loving family. I believe Gordon and Helen love you very much, so I’m giving this to you now.”
Melanie gave the paper to Helen, who started crying. It was a check for $40,000. Melanie’s birth family had left her a gift that came at just the right time, helping her new family when they needed it the most!
Source: Pexels
A social worker visited Melanie one day, bringing a young couple with her. The man winked at Melanie with a grin, and the woman had the kindest eyes Melanie had ever seen.
“This is Gordon and Helen,” the social worker said, “and they want to adopt you.”
“They do?” Melanie gasped, then looked at them and asked, “Why do you want to do that?”
Gordon was surprised by the question, but Helen knelt down to Melanie’s level and said, “We want to adopt you because we think you’re the nicest, funniest, and prettiest girl in New York City.”
Melanie smiled brightly and hugged Helen. She finally had a family that wanted and loved her just the way she was.
Living with Gordon and Helen, Melanie found out that having parents was both wonderful and difficult. It was great to have two people always caring for her, but it was tough because they noticed when she didn’t do her homework or did something she shouldn’t.
In her foster home, it was easy to get away with things since there were so many kids. But in a real family, people paid attention because they cared. Melanie realized this was a good thing, and when Helen asked her to clean her room, she hugged her and said, “Thank you!”
Helen laughed and said, “I should tell you off more often, Melanie!”
“Yes, please!” Melanie replied. “Then I’ll know you care.”
Six months passed, and the little family grew closer. They learned about each other’s habits—Melanie knew to be quiet in the mornings because Gordon worked night shifts, and Gordon stopped scaring her with plastic spiders after learning she was genuinely scared.
Helen discovered both Gordon and Melanie loved peanut butter cookies, and they’d all sit together on the porch, eating them as fast as they could.
Life was happy, but then something bad happened. Gordon got hurt at work and had to stay in the hospital for weeks. Helen became more worried as the bills piled up.
Melanie noticed and would often comfort Helen at night, sneaking into her bed to give her a hug. “Thank God for you, Melanie,” Helen would say softly.
Thankfully, Gordon recovered and came home, though he had to use crutches. But soon, medical bills arrived, and Helen looked more and more worried. “We’ll sort it out,” Gordon said, trying to stay calm.
“Our savings are gone,” Helen whispered. “What if Melanie needs something, and we don’t have the money?”
Gordon reassured her, saying, “Trust in God.” Then, turning to Melanie, he joked, “Hey, I think there are some peanut butter cookies hiding on the top shelf.”
One morning, Melanie woke up to a loud noise—a party whistle in her ear! She opened her eyes to see her room full of balloons. Gordon and Helen were standing by her bed, wearing silly hats and yelling, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
Melanie smiled. “I forgot it was my birthday!”
“Come on,” said Gordon. “There’s a surprise!”
In the dining room, a big banner read “Happy Birthday, Melanie!” and on the table was the most beautiful birthday cake she had ever seen.
“Is this for me?” she whispered, amazed. She saw her name on the cake, surrounded by stars.
“It has my name on it!” Melanie cried and burst into tears.
Gordon and Helen were worried. “Why are you crying?” Gordon asked gently.
“I’ve never had a birthday cake before!” Melanie sobbed. “Does this mean you love me? Really, really love me?”
Gordon and Helen hugged her tightly. “Of course we love you!” Helen said. “We chose YOU!”
It was the best birthday Melanie had ever had, and even though she ate too much cake and got a little sick, it was a day filled with happiness.
The next morning, the family was getting ready for church when there was a knock at the door. A tall man stood there. “Are you Melanie’s adoptive mother?” he asked Helen.
“Yes,” Helen replied. “Who are you?”
“I’m a friend of her birth father,” the man said. “I’d like to see her.”
“You can’t take her away!” Helen cried, panicking.
“I’m not here to take her,” the man said gently. “I just want to talk to her.”
Helen and Gordon sat nearby, holding hands, while the man spoke to Melanie. “My dear,” he began, “your mommy and daddy loved you very much. But your mom went to heaven when you were a baby, and soon after, your dad got very sick.”
Melanie listened carefully. “Your dad wanted to make sure you were taken care of, so he asked me to sell everything he had for you.”
The man handed Melanie a piece of paper. “He wanted you to have this when you turned eighteen, or when you were adopted by a loving family. I believe Gordon and Helen love you very much, so I’m giving this to you now.”
Melanie gave the paper to Helen, who started crying. It was a check for $40,000. Melanie’s birth family had left her a gift that came at just the right time, helping her new family when they needed it the most!
Preparing for the Impact of Hurricane Milton: Evacuation Areas & Essential Safety Measures
They have recommended that everyone in a household is familiar with the hurricane plans they’ve made. This may include catering for those at work, children’s daycare, and other frequently visited locations such as grocery stores.
Additionally, the government suggests that households should stock adequate supplies. Some recommended items are medications, disinfectants, and pet supplies that are carried in the go-bag or car trunk. Access to these supplies may be limited for days or even weeks after a hurricane.
Households also need to clear drains and gutters, secure outdoor furniture, and consider installing hurricane shutters. It is highly valuable to charge a cell phone and invest in backup charging devices for electronics when a hurricane is forecasted.
2. Stay Informed
In this step, it’s crucial for households to know if they live in an evacuation zone, listed at the end of this article, as they may need to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane. They should familiarize themselves with evacuation routes. They can also practice evacuating with their household and pets, and determine where they will stay.
Households should follow the guidance of local emergency managers, who collaborate with state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies. They will provide up-to-date recommendations based on the specific threats to your community and the necessary safety measures.
3. Check On Your Neighbors
Reach out to your neighbors, especially seniors or those who may require extra assistance, to ensure they have adequate hurricane plans in place. Offer your help in securing their preparations and provide support wherever needed.
4. Stay Out of Flood Water
Households should avoid entering floodwaters, as even six inches of fast-moving water can knock people off their feet. They should prioritize their safety and steer clear of any flooded areas.
5. Turn Around and Do Not Drown
People should be aware that just one foot of moving water can easily sweep away a vehicle. They should stay vigilant and avoid driving through flooded areas. Avoid walking, swimming, or driving through flood waters at all times. When encountering such a scenario, they should turn around.
6. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Lastly, individuals should prioritize their mental health during and after a hurricane. It’s important to acknowledge any feelings of anxiety or stress and seek support if needed. Connect with friends, family, or mental health professionals to discuss your concerns and find coping strategies.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has emphasized the need for households to pay attention to the evacuation zones as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida’s west coast. She warned the residents, “I can say without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re gonna die.”
Tampa is located in Hillsborough County. The region has listed compulsory evacuation orders for those in Zones A and B, as well as those who live in mobile homes. Tampa has urged residents of these areas to evacuate as Hurricane Milton is “literally catastrophic.”
Evacuation Zones
Charlotte County: It has issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents in Red Zone-A and Orange Zone-B, including those living in mobile and manufactured homes.
Citrus County: It has given a mandatory evacuation order that began on October 8, 2024, for all residents living in campers, tents, mobile homes, manufactured homes, or any structures unable to withstand sustained winds of up to 110 MPH.
Collier County: A voluntary precautionary evacuation is effective immediately for all residents in Collier County in Zones A and B. This includes west of Airport Pulling Road and south of US-41 Tamiami Trail E.
The order covers mobile home residents and areas with a history of storm flooding. A mandatory evacuation for all of Zones A and B began on October 8, 2024.
DeSoto County: It has issued evacuation orders for Zones A (Red) and B (Orange). These areas affect all residents living in mobile and manufactured homes, as well as those in low-lying or flood-prone areas.
Clay County: Currently, there are no mandatory evacuation orders, but residents in low-lying or flood-prone areas, especially along Black Creek or the St. Johns River, are strongly encouraged to consider relocating for safety.
Hardee County: On October 7, 2024, Hardee County Emergency Management advised residents in low-lying areas, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and unsafe structures to evacuate as soon as possible.
Glades County: This county has implemented a voluntary evacuation for mobile homes, RV parks, and low-lying areas, which started on October 8, 2024.
Hillsborough County: This county has announced a mandatory evacuation for Evacuation Zones A and B, including all mobile homes and manufactured housing throughout the county, which started on October 7, 2024.
Hernando County: Mandatory evacuation orders for all areas west of US 19, including evacuation zones A, B, and C began on October 8, 2024. This includes all residents in coastal and low-lying areas, as well as those in manufactured homes countywide.
Levy County: A mandatory evacuation is in effect affecting all mobile homes, manufactured homes, recreational vehicle parks, coastal communities, and low-lying areas west of US 19. Hurricane risk shelters have opened at Bronson Elementary for special needs and Bronson Middle High School for general population/pet-friendly evacuations.
Lee County: It has issued mandatory evacuation orders for Zones A and B, urging residents to finalize emergency plans and evacuate as soon as possible. They should aim to be in a safe location by the evening of October 8, 2024.
Manatee County: This county has issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents in Levels A, B, and C, including visitors in RVs or mobile homes, effective October 7, 2024.
Marion County: The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management officials have recommended evacuation for residents living in mobile homes, RVs, modular-type homes, and site-built homes constructed before 1994 due to the hurricane’s projected path.
Miami-Dade County: This county has announced a voluntary evacuation center for residents of mobile home parks, opening the E. Darwin Fuchs Pavilion on October 8, 2024, as a pet-friendly evacuation option.
Okeechobee County: A voluntary evacuation has been issued for all low-lying areas and mobile homes starting October 8, 2024.
Pasco County: This county has mandated evacuations for Zone C as the hurricane approaches. Evacuations are required for those in Zones A, B, or C, as well as residents in manufactured homes, RVs, low-lying areas, or structures prone to flooding.
Volusia County: A mandatory evacuation order took effect on October 9, 2024, for all areas east of the Intracoastal Waterway, including residents in manufactured and mobile homes, low-lying and flood-prone areas, as well as campsites and RV parks.
Sumter County: Residents in mobile homes, low-lying areas, or with special needs are strongly urged to consider evacuation or relocating to a shelter when they open.
Sarasota County: Residents in Sarasota County living in Level A or near Level A, as well as those in manufactured home communities or mobile/boat homes, are advised to implement their evacuation plans immediately, whether that involves staying with friends or leaving the area.
Pinellas County: Pinellas County has enacted a mandatory evacuation order for all residents in Zones A, B, and C, as well as all mobile homes. Special needs residents and residential healthcare facilities in these zones are also included in the evacuation order.
Putnam County: A recommended evacuation has been issued for Zones F and A due to concerns regarding high river levels.
Obeying the directives issued by local authorities and noting the evacuation zones ensures that families can evacuate safely and efficiently. This also allows emergency services to respond effectively to those in need.
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