Not Your Average Ferris Wheel: The Hurricane that Was

Friday, November 2, 2012

The Hurricane that Was

Living on the east coast (or even the gulf coast for that matter) has its perks. You are never too far from a beach. You can honeymoon on the beach and not have to fly somewhere (which is what we did 6 years ago).
You can swim in the ocean at least once a year if not more and you can feel the calmness and sweet salty air on a warm summer day and say "Aah" as you breathe in deeply.

But there is that one downfall.
And over the past two years we really took a beating here in New York.

Hurricane Irene really affected those of us who live in the Hudson Valley and beyond. And Hurricane Sandy affected those who live even closer to the coast in the five boroughs, Long Island and New Jersey.

Because of the threat of the storm, the entire state was in a state of emergency, so each county declared one also. After all, we couldn't forget the affects of Irene on our region. That meant schools were closed for two days. We took two of our four snow days. At first I was upset, but there are so many more things to be thankful for then annoyed about, that I soon got over it. First off, we still have power. We never lost it. Secondly, nothing but our shed door was damaged from the winds. And that was fixable, thanks to my handy husband and his enthusiastic two-year-old assistant. Others have lost power, lost their homes, their cars, and some their lives. It's just scary, but not unimaginable, as Hurricane Katrina showed our country loud and clear.

To read the articles in the New York Times, to browse Facebook posts, you would think the end of the world is coming - gas shortages, angry commuters, no power for a week, people out of homes, relief efforts in full swing. My mind tries not to go there, but I do worry, especially considering I'm bringing yet another innocent life into this world just a few weeks into the new year.

But I am hopeful that this too shall pass and New Yorkers and New Jersey folks can band together like we have in the past and help one another in this time of great need.

On the bright side for me - I had two extra days off with my little family. I got some rest in, didn't experience as much ankle swelling or foot pain, and got to peer into Cole's innocent beautiful little face for four whole days.