On Dec 13, 2021, the electric power went off in my neighborhood around 9:15 p.m. I was alone.

Now I am not afraid of mice, or bugs, not too fond of bats, have all my shots, so I am not afraid of the virus, and really never had a fear of the dark. Besides, the light will come back on soon. In fact they did but went right back off.

At my age being afraid of the dark is silly. However, the lights did not come on. I was a prisoner. Could not reach the phone — who could I call anyway — flashlight was in the living room by my chair — cellphone in my purse in the other room — and I could not see to find my walker, which I could not have used anyway in the dark.

Surely the lights will be on soon — even the bird clock stopped chirping at midnight.

Not only was I a prisoner, I was in solitary confinement. I prayed every prayer I knew, called on every saint I could think of — I was getting colder by the minute.

Finally God heard me and put up the sun at 7 a.m. I do have lots of windows so I could see to walk, use the bathroom, get a drink.

I was FREE, however the power didn’t come on until 9 a.m. and the house temperature was 62 — the furnace ran all day.

Sorry I am still shook — too old for this kind of event.