Apocalypse- The end of the world as we know it
I was listening recently, to a radio host interviewing a man about a book that he had written about surviving after apocalyptic times. The host, in a tone that seemed almost mocking, asked "Do you think there will be an apocalypse?"
This got me thinking about the term "apocalypse" and what it means. To a non-prepper such as the radio host it seems like that word conjures up images of bands of people desperately hacking and slashing at hoards of zombies or living in a desolate wasteland where there is nothing around for miles but emptiness and despair. Perhaps this word suggests the earth going up in a ball of flames---the end of existence in this life.
This is what "apocalypse" means to me:
- Any unexpected event from floods, to power outages, to nuclear attack, to being stuck in a ditch during a snowstorm, etc. that puts an end, either temporary or permanently, to the way that you are living in that moment.
- Having to depend on preparations that you have made during non-stressful times to get through the above unexpected calamities. These preparations could include growing your own garden, having food and water in storage as a back up source, knowing what to do during an emergency, etc.
- Having to depend on you. Depending on your own resourcefulness to get through difficult times because you have no other choice! Help will not always be there!
Apocalyptic Events that I have experienced over the last few years:
- Wildfires- During a series of crazy wind storms, fires erupted and spread over long distances. People were evacuated from small towns and from the city to safer locations. Houses were nearly consumed by the flames. Luckily, my family wasn't forced to leave our home though people I knew nearby had to.
- Floods- Spanning an enormous distance! Homes, buildings and their contents were obliterated by the raging flood waters.
- Winter storms- Snow and temperatures falling to icy extremes and yes power outages during these events. Not being able to rely on my stove for cooking meals for the family.
- Without water- We spent one full day without water a few years ago in our home due to a pipe bursting and the water being turned off during this time. Thankfully we had enough water stored up for cooking and washing that we made it through this time. Luckily we were only stuck like this for one day...can you imagine if it had been a week or more!
- Sick kids- Thankfully nothing serious, but something to think about. A serious illness among family members for me would be an apocalyptic event...knowing what to do during this time by having knowledge of first aid is a lifesaver! We won't always be able to depend on hospitals where doctors and nurses can "fix" the problem for us.
- Measles outbreak- Due to poor vaccination rates our area got hit by an outbreak of the measles. Kind of a scary thing when you have little kids including a baby--too young to vaccinate at the time of the outbreak.
Apocalyptic Events around us (some of which we have witnessed through media others haven't happened yet):
- Any natural disaster- tsunamis, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, drought, hail, wind, fire, etc.
- Home invasion, attacks on the street, shootings, etc.
- Economical disaster, stock market plummets, job loss, etc.
- Power outage
- Nuclear meltdown, nuclear attacks, war
- Food and fuel price hike
- EMP- way to cripple a techology driven society.
- Terrorist attacks
- Vehicle crashes- trains, boats, planes and autos
"Do you think there will be an apocalypse?"
Yes!!! It happens all the time, every single day in many shapes and forms. Moral of the story: BE PREPARED! (regardless of what they call it).