Four Weeks

I woke up this morning and started thinking about the past four weeks.  Four weeks ago today, I was at home.  I woke up in my comfy bed and started my Sunday like I usually do.  I let the dog out and listened to the waves in the near distance.  I made breakfast and I dressed myself and the kids.  I took my son to Sunday school.  I wanted to get in a run, but since I was tapering I didn't worry about it.  After Sunday school, the kids and I went down to the beach and joined a few Killa Beez teammates for the Autism Speaks walk.  There was a "digger"there creating a wall of sand.  My son asked me why they were doing this.  I told him that it was for the storm that was coming.  They were making a wall to try to keep the water back.  He, matter of factly told me, "sand can't hold back water, Mom."  I was pretty windy but the sun was shining.  Afterwards, we headed home and I started to clean up the house.  By then, the mandatory evacuation was in place.  I knew I was leaving with the kids but I wanted to clean up first.  I hate coming back to a messy house.  I did some laundry including a load of towels.  We once had a flood in a previously residence and we used towels and a shop vac to clean up the water.  At this point, I thought the basement had a good chance of getting some water.  Hubby and his friend were down there lifting as many things as possible to higher ground.  I talked with my neighbor and close friend about when she was heading out and we made plans to stay in touch through the storm.  Before I left the house, I told hubby not to make a mess.  Every time I have evacuated in the past, Hurricane Irene, a huge fire in 2009, etc.  I came home to a mess.

In the past four weeks, I have stayed with friends.  I have cried every day.  I have felt lost and yet so loved.  I have rented an apartment and been loaned a car.  I have been given a new wardrobe of clothes for each member of my family.  I have cleaned and organized three bedrooms, a kitchen and a livingroom.  I have put in a change of address card.  I have shopped in a food bank.  I have met Christy Turlington and Ann Curry.

Hubby and I with Ann Curry

Christy Turlington is the nicest supermodel you'll ever meet!

 
I have seen my house and my foundation separately in the main section of major newspapers and on the news.  I have been given gifts for my kids and housewares.  I have been given love and support from friends, family, strangers and even people who were once, but were no longer friends.  I have been humbled.  I have woken up to new loud sounds.  I have spent hours on the phone with FEMA and insurance companies.  I waited on line for 6 hours for a $600 gift card from China Buddhists.  I have taped a daytime television segment.  I have seen old friends and new change my life for the better.  I have sat in bleacher seats for the Thanksgiving Day parade.  I have experienced the worst of nature's devastation and the best of humanity.

Toni Senecal of Toni On New York - An angel to my family

The kids at the parade

I have not gone home.  I have not run a marathon after 4 months of training.  I did not come back to a mess. Instead it was total devastation of my entire block and community.

This morning I woke up in a newly rented apartment on a new bed in a new room.  Hopefully some day this will feel normal.  Today is not that day.  However, I will try to make it seem normal as I take my son to Sunday school and then go for a quick run.  Tomorrow I will go back to work.  I do not know what comes next, but I know I can't go home ever.  Not even to a messy house.

Thanks again to all of you.  I love your notes, gifts and your messages online.  I read them over and over for strength each day.