It takes a crew of two trucks and a van from Corpus Christi to flip the switch. Just like that our power is restored. We’re sitting at home with a fresh fire roaring in the fireplace, having taken my Mom to vote and to shop for this and that and wait.

First we hear the alarm from the refrigerator beep. Then the sweet hum of a house waking up. Like George Bailey throwing a joyful kiss to the Bailey Building and Loan as he sloshes down the snowy streets, I tear up when I see the radiating pie slice indicating my reliable internet signal is back. I peel off another thick sweater as the heat rises and my old life resumes.