The Duncan Banner

Opinion

Related Photos

February 4, 2010

Power outage brings back fear of the dark

Derrick Miller

DUNCAN — When I was in the twilight of my youth, I was afraid of the dark.

Around 6 years old, I got over this fear by desensitizing myself to the dark by turning off my fish aquarium light each night. Monday night, I discovered my fear of the dark returned, when a two-hour power outage threw my world into blackness.

No, it’s not the same fear that used to keep me wondering what’s lurking at night. Instead, the darkness brings the fear my electricity won’t return.

This fear extends from four days without power, beginning Thursday. I know there are many people throughout Stephens County still without electricity. I have friends and colleagues in this situation.

Like many people, I didn’t expect to lose power for long. But some time between Thursday afternoon and Sunday, I began to wonder.

I spent part of Thursday night in my living room before the cold drove me to seek refuge in the warmest and smallest room in my apartment — the bathroom. I flipped the light switch to let me know when my electricity came on.

I piled blankets on the floor, lit candles and blocked off the bottom of the door with a towel. I armed myself with a couple of flashlights, a boom box, peanut butter and crackers, books, and my cell phone. By Friday morning, I was bored.

Actually, Friday started with a bang; that is, my head against the toilet. There’s nothing quite like a phone call at 8:30 a.m. in a dark room to make you lose all sense of your surroundings.

One thing that helped me deal with the situation was text messages and phone calls from friends and family members. Friends provided me with information of what was going on outside my makeshift fort. The phone calls from my family provided me with much needed support.

By Friday night, I was hungry. In desperation, I cooked mostly frozen hot dogs over non-scented emergency candles. The parts I burned were decent, but the cold spots weren’t pleasant.

I know I could have gone to the emergency shelter for heat and real food, but I didn’t want to leave my home. So, I stayed. Besides, it gave me a reason to have Tom Petty’s “Refugee” playing in my head.

Saturday, I escaped my apartment, the bathroom. I headed to one of the few open stores to get some supplies, which consisted of more water, chips, marshmallows and M&Ms.; I got bread and lunch meat, which made for my first real meal in two days.

That night in my car, I listened to the radio, charged my cell phone and got some warmth. On the radio, a woman with disaster relief mentioned Stephens County was on its way to having power restored. That woman allowed me to believe I would be warm in my home, soon.

That was until I found many of my fish, some of which I bought just days before, were goners. I went to bed unsure, my fear of the darkness growing.

I am an optimistic person, but I began to lose hope.

I spent Sunday morning in the bathroom, because it was too uncomfortable in the rest of my apartment. After reading some and coloring a picture in a book, I set my head down in my hands from emotional exhaustion. It was then I heard my answering machine asking to be reset. I lifted my head and was greeted with light. I rejoiced.

It was in that moment I realized, together, we will get through this.



— Derrick Miller is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 160, or via e-mail at derrick.miller@duncanbanner.com.

Text Only
Opinion
  • Ed Darling Hydrant color a city scheme

    A good friend in another town, in a previous year, was appreciative of a city project to paint the fire hydrant at the corner of his property. It looked fresh and clean — but it wasn’t the right color.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • Jeff Kaley Those ‘Rogers Riders Rules’ stand test of time

    Since we’re all super-focused on the super activities of the superest non-official holiday in America, I’m warming up for the super game by whittling down some of the super-sized stack of sticky notes that serve as my memory:

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ed Darling How things used to be

    As January winds down, step back with me in time.  The month is January, still, but the year is 1988. Much has changed. See if you agree or if your walk down Memory Lane is as interesting as I found the chance to look back.

    January 29, 2012 1 Photo

  • Jeff Kaley It’s not a cop out if not done ‘intentionally’

    At some point in the life journey we’ve all tried to soften, deflect or completely disown a bad action or false statement by rationalizing and marginalizing our culpability.

    January 29, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ed Darling Fixin’ football, sharing notes

    For the life of me, I don’t understand all the confusion each year about a college football playoff system to determine the national champion. The solution seems simple.

    January 22, 2012 1 Photo

  • Jeff Kaley Struggle for our hair freedom still continues

    A few days ago, as I walked toward the front door at an area high school, I crossed paths with a couple young guys who were on their way to the parking lot.

    January 22, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ed Darling Proud fans looking ahead

    I had planned to share steps necessary to achieve world peace with you today, but before I could finish that paragraph, my thoughts shifted to solutions for balancing the budget and eliminating the spiraling national debt.

    January 15, 2012 1 Photo

  • Jeff Kaley How would Dr. King react to King holiday?

    Martin Luther King Jr. would have been 83 years old today, and I can’t help wondering: How would Dr. King react to Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

    January 15, 2012 1 Photo

  • Jeff Kaley Ire toward telemarketers is a break from politics

    January 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ed Darling Dad’s annual letter to his son

    January 9, 2012 1 Photo