Jersey Girl...

It’s been 24 hours since the largest part of Sandy introduced herself to Maryland.  It’s still raining.  But now it’s peaceful.  There is no more television blaring in the background.  My precocious three year old has finally stopped talking because she fell asleep.  The remnants of five different crafts projects lay scattered around the entire house in such a way that it looks like the hurricane was inside.  I have eaten everything I could get my hands on, cooked just about everything I know how to cook and have been using the hash tag #EatAllDay on twitter as it feels like that’s all my children and I have been doing for 48 hours. 

But this storm…this force of nature…felt different; different than the derecho of this past summer that swiftly appeared, knocked our power out for six days, downed a tree in our yard and left.  We survived that bout of 100-degree days with swimming trips, outings, fireworks and a “vacation” in a hotel.  The only victims were the items in my refrigerator.

Sandy is still kicking.  48 hours and it’s still raining.  This time, however, our power stayed on.  I was prepared to the nines with food, batteries, ice packs, sleeping bags in the basement, a full tank of gas and my patience.  We have been incredibly lucky.  The only thing affected in this house has been my sanity.  And I am hoping to get that back tomorrow.

For my many friends, relatives and close family in my home state of New Jersey and beloved New York City, it is a different story.  I have been watching, almost obsessively, for pictures of the Jersey shore…of Long Beach Island…breath held at the sights of what was, just 24 hours ago.  I am heartbroken to see the places I have grown up going to, the places my kids already know as a definition of summer, under water.  I want to go there and help the places that have helped me become who I am.

For right now, sitting here feeling completely helpless, I thank the gods of weather for protecting my little slice of the pie.  I pray to them and all of the other powers that be, human or otherwise, to help the people who need helping, to rebuild the things that need rebuilding and to act swiftly and decisively when making the decisions that affect others and the common good. 

I know the resilience of the human spirit is an amazing thing.  I know the cities and coastlines affected will rebound and prosper and I know they will continue to make positive memories that will last a lifetime.  For now, “Sandy, the aurora is rising behind us”.