Today, November 4, 2012, marks one week from the day my family as well as all of NJ, NY, along with neighboring states prepared ourselves, for what was said to be more perfect then "the perfect storm."
The day before:
The fear was nearly paralyzing. As a parent, we put our children first. This is just a natural maternal/paternal instinct. When a parent feels helpless, we experience anxieties. These negative emotions are hidden from our children so that they feel no fear, but rather a sense of security that is rightfully theirs. However, under the circumstances we were preparing for, it was necessary to sit our children down and explain that a hurricane was on its way to our home state. They knew that we had to prepare for our house to be in disorder.
On October 29th, 2012 as the wind started to strengthen, I had such an anxious feeling. "What could we do to better prepare our home?" We did what we could the day before when walking into a grocery store and basically experiencing road rage with the use of shopping carts as people blocked aisles, and pushed you aside to get the last bottle of water.
Upon returning from my extravaganza at Shoprite, my husband stated that "filling my tank with gas" was yet another must. Once more, I ventured out and waited in lines to fill my truck. Experiencing lines of cars leading out onto main highways awaiting gas, was almost a scene out of a natural disaster movie. I realized, "We are living a nightmare."
As a true "Jersey girl" born and raised, my love for this state is proud and true. Born in 1973, I resided in Sayreville, moving onward to Laurence Harbor, then to Tinton Falls, Ocean township, and now Manchester. Closer and closer to the Jersey shore line. I, as well as my husband, have family members and friends dispersed within this state as well. People who line the shore area and others who are inland. Our worries were at home and also divided in many different directions and miles apart in New jersey as we worried about our families and friends. Minimal contact capabilities were had, and I felt fortunate for that, but for my elderly family, the use of a cell phone is a modern technology that is not understood.
The day it all began:
As the winds began to howl, the rain felt light. The rain was being swept away by the gusts of wind. Sitting next to a window was not even an option under this roof. Suddenly, the t.v. went off, lights went out, and we huddled into our living room. As the hours passed us by the darkness invited itself in with the wind and rain. We moved our coffee table out of the family room and moved in our mattresses, blankets and pillows. There was no way that this family was separating. As we sat by candlelight with our flashlights, we played games that have not been played since technology paved its way to our present and future lifestyles. During a time of darkness and fear, we managed to laugh and provide a memory of goodness from the bad. My children lived through the dark cold night in fear, but I know that their feeling of safety was there and their smiles were genuine as we played Pictionary with a flashlight, and toasted marshmallows in our wood burning stove.
The aftermath:
Memories from my childhood that bring happiness to my heart while allowing me to smile were simply that, just a memory. Venturing out to see the devastation, watching the news, seeing reports on the internet proved that Sandy was an evil, violent, force of nature. Dad did not have a lot of money for family travel, but somehow it did not matter, because New Jersey was filled with so many family fun attractions. We frequented the boardwalks, Great Adventure, Sandy Hook beach, Cheesequake Park, while venturing out on short road trips to PA for Hershey Park, the caves, and going into NY City for its museums.
My grandparents who were such a HUGE part of my life resided in Cliffwood Beach and Matawan, while aunts and uncles live in Hazlet, Union Beach, Keyport, and Edison. To say that I am not a well rounded Jersey girl would be unfounded.
Nonetheless, it is not about me and my experiences in the towns of NJ. It is about the travesty this state has taken. The beaten it took, and the defeat it shows. So many memories swept away. Peoples homes demolished, death tolls raising, and missing people still unfound. Children in Foster care awaiting a warm home and cooked meal, while the eldery and sick live in oblivion because their nursing homes have been destroyed.
I recently saw a co-worker turned friend being interviewed on a local news station. She could barely speak to the TV jounalist as they questioned her on the loss of her home, cat, and surrounding community. There were simply not enough tissues at my side to stop my tears from flowing as I listened to her speak in such a broken tone. She, along, with many others have experienced this loss. We, as a NJ family must unite and assist those who have suffered from this storm to find a sense of peace. Open our doors, donate our clothing, make a hot meal, and simply give a hug.
Moving on, I would like to touch upon New Jersey's iconinc destinations. Our boardwalks. Facebook being a popular source for people to connect can unfortunately be a place for people to engage in an argument. Recently it is politics, but even more recently it is the people at odds regarding the tragic events that Sandy placed upon our structures. Sandy manged to damage homes, bridges, and yes our boardwalks. Each piece of construction has its very own value. People need their homes, we need our bridges to provide us an obstacle for passage, and a boardwalk to create memories that will forever be cherished. I am not writing to put a value on any structure or to state that one person feeling stronger about another structure is bad. Mainly, I believe that I am trying to be the "bridge" that provides reasoning to opposite feelings and try to make them as near to even as possible.
We are all disheartened as we witness the losses to families and their homes. A home is a person's place of peace, love, solitude, and confinement. It is mainly what a person goes to work for on a daily basis. The need to make that mortgage or rent payment. Hard earned money goes directly to our homes, the furnishings, food, and utility bills. All of our hard-work is shown by the house we live in. Does not matter the size of the home or the ground it is built on, it just means, "I work for this, and I am proud of it!" I pray that these homes can be rebuilt and old memories can live in the hearts of those who lost their cherished homes, and they can make new ones under a new roof provided by all who are dedicating their time to re-build and re-store what was once your home.
As for my feelings on our iconic structures that define our wonderful state? Let me share my feelings on that subject. I take this directly from my status on Facebook. I put it in writing once, so I shall copy to my blog for those what had not read it.
From my Status on Facebook regarding our Boardwalks
While some believe that others are selfish for thinking of our boardwalks, I would just like to put a little perspective on my feelings concerning the subject: Those of us who live here and grew up frequenting the beaches and boardwalks, and now see the devastation of what once brought us joy and allowed us to escape our everyday realities are saddened to see it demolished. We acknowledge the devastation to our ocean line areas as well as our inland areas. Our boardwalks were iconic. It is what the Jersey Shore was known for, and not because of SNOOKI and the JS crew. Many childhood memories have been washed away due to an angry storm. So please, allow us to grieve our boardwalk/beaches because they are a part of who we are. In the interim, my heart truly goes out to those effected inland as well. Prayers for recovery for all effected. My deepest sincerity to NJ and NY during this time of devastation.
In closing
As I close this entry in my blog, I look back on what we all just lived through and luckily survived while others were less fortunate. I pray for those who lost their lives in this near apocalyptic type disaster. I sincerely hope that those who lost their homes can find peace in knowing that they will have a home to go to, again, someday. I pray that our children who were so scared can find strength through education as they discuss this in their classrooms amongst classmates and friends. I pray that families can come together again simply by realizing that there are things that are significantly stronger then that of an angry person holding a grudge over money borrowed or something lost. We have come to realize that life can be shortened and out of our control. Let us not take for granted the smiles that brighten our day, the hugs that comfort us, the "Hello" from an aquanitance and the laughter of a child. GOD BLESS.
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