Two Worlds

There are two worlds out there right now.  Most people are living in the post-Sandy/post-Nor'Easter world.  They are trying to get back in the swing of things.  They are catching up with work and life.

Some are still living in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  Many have no power or heat and no transportation due to cars damaged and gas shortages.  The minority of us are dealing with the loss of our entire homes and the lives that we built.  My heart breaks for the mother who lost two little boys and the police officer who lost his life.  These stories and so many more are my reality.  I lived three houses from the ocean and now my house, my neighbors' and life as I knew it is over...forever.

How I remember it

All that is left

My new reality is news coverage on my neighborhood, insurance adjusters and renting a home.  I never thought I would be in this place again.  And yet, here I am.

I am inclined to fall apart.  But my kids will not allow it.  Smile and just keep swimming.  I do not know what next week brings.  All I do know is that the kindness and generosity of others is the only reason that my family and I are safe.  Friends offered a warm home (Thanks Melissa & Tim), hot showers (thanks Jimmy, Jen, Tony and Darlene) and a hot meal.  We took all they offered and quickly learned that pride was a useless emotion.  Family watched my kids and my dog (thanks mom and Sis) until finally we found a place to rest our heads.  While that all went down, the greatest blogger in the world, Ashley created a registry of gifts of things we lost and needed.  My friend Alicia created a fundraising site for us.

This is all new to a middle class family from Brooklyn.  We worked for everything we had and then Hurricane Sandy took it all away.  Now what?  Family, friends and strangers across the country and beyond have kept us going.  We have a 3 bedroom rental for us and are hoping to find a home for the chickens.  We have met with Anne Curry, Christy Turlington (coolest supermodel ever) and the Huffington Post.  It is all surreal.  I would give it all up to be at home and call my neighbor for some milk.

But I cannot... As surreal as it seems, it is real.  No work, life or run in two weeks for me.  I hope the kids are more resilient than I am. I am just trying to find a new norm.  I only hope that people continue to be as understanding.  My family sends a huge thank you for all the donations, gifts and prayers.  Individual thank yous will be on their way.


Cheers to humanity, there is hope for us yet.

xoxo
Jen