An example of Hurricane Sandy’s damage to a historical building in our town.
I am sitting in my car outside a Starbucks Coffee shop a few towns south of my home with internet access for the first time since Hurricane Sandy hit this past Monday. There’s not a seat anywhere inside, so I feel lucky that I’ve found a spot just outside.
Hurricane Sandy – a common scene all around town.
Although our family is among the 70% in our town without power, we are so grateful for the many blessings we do have. We have running water. We have a gas stove. Our house was not damaged by the storm. We have some generous friends who have power and have opened their homes to us to take showers, charge our phones and share dinner with them.
The town is bustling with people and everyone is getting cabin fever. Although school has been canceled for the rest of the week, I don’t see any signs that power will be restored anytime soon. There are trees and power lines down everywhere, roads closed, some barely passable with power lines brought down by trees.
Everyone is so used to being “plugged in” that with little internet access if any, people feel disconnected and out of touch. The funny thing is that being “unplugged” has given us time to reconnect with friends that we were “too busy” to spend time with before the storm.
We revel in the daylight, but dread when the sun starts to go down. It gets cold and dark. The last couple of days, I’ve been cooking my way through the rest of my freezer, bringing dinner to my friends’ homes. We spend evenings with our friends who so generously opened their homes to our family, then return to our home to go to bed.
I don’t know when I’ll be able to post again, but my thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Hurricane Sandy has been devastating to many families, and I feel extremely grateful that our family is safe and sound.
Such a beautiful post, Jeanette. About 6 years ago we lost power for 5 days due to a very bad early October snowstorm – the trees hadn’t yet lost their leaves so they were mostly destroyed. It was heartbreaking to see, and looking at the destruction, you had to wonder if things would ever go back to the way they were. Now, I have to say, the trees are fuller than ever before. It’s as if it was a natural “pruning’ of sorts. I’m hoping it’s the same way in your area and all areas affected by this tragedy.
I know what you’re going through with your loss of power, both the good and bad aspects you mention. Going to bed and rising with the sun truly is a change in this day and ag!. Enjoy the good while it’s here though, because soon enough your power will be back on and people will be back to their busy lives.
Sending you hugs and keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. xo
Glad to hear you are ok, and you guys are in my prayers!
Thinking of you. Take care and stay warm.
I understand how you feel. We’ve gone through 3 or 4 Hurricanes in our home since buying it in 2005. We’ve watched a few friends loose so much, while we were luckily spared. It’s terrible, and unfortunately a helpless feeling. Stay strong and do your best to help others who would help you.
So glad to hear that you are safe and unharmed. Enjoy the return to an unplugged time for a bit.
Jeanette, what a blessing that you have such great community around you. I am sure they really appreciate those hot meals and company (both ways). I wonder if you will go back to being as plugged in as you were before after experiencing this forced break. Keeping you in my thoughts xo Alyssa
I feel very fortunate that the worst of Sandy spared us here in Rhode Island. The photos look like our community a year ago, after Hurricane Irene. I’m so glad your family has friends who can help you through the next few days. I’m sending all of my good thoughts to CT Power & Light for a speedy recovery of your power.
Same to you, Jeanette–wishing you a quick recovery of all that’s been damaged and a safe, warm, dry place to stay until then. Hope you regain power soon!
I admire your spirit… that you can find so many positive things when going through such a tough, trying time! You are so generous to share your cooking with your friends and neighbors. Take care and I look forward to more of your posts when things settle down in your area.
I’m thinking of you and your family and I am so happy you are all ok after Sandy. I’ve experienced back to back hurricanes here in FL and been w/out power for weeks at a time. I hope it will be back to you soon. sending you hugs, Jeanette. xo
So glad you’re okay! I can’t get over how awful this storm was in so many places.
I’m glad you’re ok! It can’t be easy not having power… my parents are dealing with that as well right now.
Stay safe and know that we’re thinking of you.
So very glad your family are safe and sound. Take care as you wait for the power to come back on, and I hope you enjoy the quiet moments, even as forced as they are.
I’m so happy to hear you’re all okay! My heart goes out to all those who’ve been impacted. Hang in there – will continue to send good thoughts your way!
You strong spirit! I am so happy to read you all are ok. Sending you good thoughts.
omg glad you are okay! I am so sorry about what a devastation! Miss you!
So happy to hear that you and the family are okay!
I am so, SO glad you are okay, Jeanette. Let me know if there is anything at all I can do to help. Wanna come bunk out in Boston for a few days???
I hope things are getting better for you and your family, Jeanette. Glad you’re all okay.
I’m so glad you and your family are okay, Jeanette. I can’t imagine being without power for so long–I hope they get it back up sooner than you expect. Take care!
Oh Jeanette, I’m SO glad you are ok! Times like this sure put things in perspective, don’t they.
Glad to hear you’re alright. Hopefully the clean up is quick and everything gets back to normal.
so glad to hear you are okay – sorry you are still without power. you are blessed to have friends to visit – enjoy the downtime while you have it. you are missed <3
Thanks everyone – after 8 days, we got our power back. We have such a new appreciation for a warm home and electricity. We were truly blessed with time spent with old friends who we hadn’t seen in a while and shared meals with them too.