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Random thoughts during Hurricane Sandy…

 Monday

  • 7:00 am – The winds have started to pick up this early Monday morning.  The first high tide is coming in a bit and they are worried of serious flooding.
  • 1:00 pm – The first high tide did not bring in as much water as we expected.  We’re off to a good start.  A lot of the people I spoke to yesterday seem to be unconcerned, I hope they evacuate anyways.
  • 2:00 pm – Not feeling well, I’m going to take advantage of this quiet afternoon with a nice long nap.  
  • 5:00 pm – We lost power a few hours ago, just lost my window of having a hot meal for dinner; stupid nap.  The wind has begun to pick up more.
  • 6:30 pm – I have been getting texts from family members and friends, some have power and some don’t, maybe it won’t be so bad after all.  My niece has called to tell me she still has power and since they were bored she’s out joy riding to access the damages. Wait, what?!
  • 8:00 pm – The wind has picked up a great deal.  Leaves and debris float on invisible waves like a perfectly timed flash mob.  My attic bedroom is shaking; I keep thinking of images of a silent screaming women taking flight.  At least the candles give the illusion that all is well.
    • photo credit: NASA Goddard Photo and Video via photopin cc
  • 10:30 pm – I can’t read anymore.  The wind seems to be dying down now; my eyes won’t stay open.  There’s still no power.  I am not feeling well.  I will let the dark night take me to dream land.  

Tuesday

  • 7:03 am – Danny, the boyfriend, brings me much needed coffee.  He mentions being stopped three times by the police.  It is understandable that after a hurricane people would stay indoors.  Right?  I spend the next five hours charging my phone and my kindle in the car.  Not once does it occur to me to turn on the radio.
  • 12:30 pm – More cars are on the road and lots of people are walking around.  I go back into the house.  Still NO power.
  • 5:00 pm – I just woke up from an almost four hour nap.  I am starting to feel better.  I am starving.  We’re all starving.  Still NO power.
  • 5:30 pm – I venture out to find hot food.  Traffic lights are not working.  People are not driving crazy.  Trees are knocked down.  Where to eat?  Closed.  Closed.  Closed.  No Power.  My favorite Chinese food spot is open.  Operating by flashlight. Hmmmm. I am hungry.  My last hot meal was breakfast Monday morning.  Granola, bread, and fruit are not cutting it.  Hey, where are the UI guys?
  • 10:30 pm – I regret already eating that Chinese food.  Rumor has it that the UI guys are on strike.  Apparently out of state line guys have been paid almost triple, with five star hotel check-ins and gourmet meals.  I just want my power.  Tonight is supposed to be cold.  I can’t read anymore.  The dark night still seems surreal.  I fall asleep to the sound of humming generators, ambulance sirens and the dark.  Still NO power.

Wednesday

  • 5:20 am – Still NO Power.  I get up to wake my father for work.  It was hard to get out of bed, so cold. I go back to sleep
  • 7:00 am – I wake up to a nice hot shower and get ready for work.  Thank God for Gas Water Heaters!  Downtown Bridgeport has power?! Drive to Panera Bread for breakfast and it was packed.  A quick scan and overheard conversations, a good portion of Shelton and Trumbull are out of power to.  Driving to work I see that the power is not on in the building.  Decide to drive home, stopped at the Dunkin donuts in Bridgeport to grab coffee for my mom and the line is coming out of the door, drive through is wrapping around the building. Craig, the newspaper guy, sends me to the cafe in the lot next door.  Bless his soul.  
  • 1:00 pm –  Still NO power.  I did see a UI guy working on the tree a few blocks away.  I wonder if the rumors are true?  If so I pray the negotiations are moved along.  Its cold.  Nap time?
  • 3:00 pm – Can’t get warm.  I throw on layers and head over to the cafe that has free wi-fi.  They have the door open?  Why?!  Don’t they know I’m trying to defrost?  I almost tear up to see all the concerned souls praying and sending love my way on Facebook.
  • 5:00 pm – I get to my sister’s house, who has power, to warm up with an invite to dinner.  I step out to find soup for my mom to find the Chinese place closed.  Driving home I do not know how to explain to my mom I could not find soup and decide I can heat up a can of soup.  Oh, what wait, street lights?  Yes.  oh wait but not on this block.  Turning onto my street I see them, bright and beautiful.  I run into the house, We have POWER!  My mom forgives me for not finding soup.
  • 11:30 pm – I am thankful that the power came back on, its warm and my belly is full.  God is good.  So are all the people in my life!

I was very fortunate during Hurricane Sandy.  While my household suffered the loss of power, Monday into Tuesday evening was warm.  There are people that have lost their homes. Some have lost their lives. There are many still without power.  My thoughts and prayers stay with them during this time and I pray they find relief soon. May we all go to sleep with the street lights on tonight.

photo credit: Bigod via photopin cc
Until then,

    6 replies on “Random thoughts during Hurricane Sandy…”

    Very creative approach, Arelis. I’m not sure I would have been able to remember what was going on at the time. I probably would’ve been in the car with your niece, scoping the damage. Every hurricane I’ve gone through (and there’s been a few, living in Virginia and North Carolina) I would be bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to get out in it. I have a creepy fascination with weather. It has always excited me. I also know how dangerous this love for storms is for my life. I try to use as much wisdom as possible, but the excitement usually wins. 😀

    Thanks for sharing the experience with us. Even though it probably wasn’t what I would have made it for you, I am glad that all fared well for you and your family.

    Hey Deone! I actually wrote things down and then typed them up… After feeling my bedroom shake I was not venturing outside, although I did enjoy the view from my bedroom window. I was very fortunate; I have been talking to various people today out and about and some are still without power. I have a few co-workers that are without power and with little ones that can be a challenge. I pray that everyone gets power back on soon! Its cold and its supposed to get colder in the coming days. Thank you so much for stopping my and sharing your thoughts with us!

    Wow — first I wanna say that I’m so glad that you’re okay!! I think many people were just in shock of how powerful the hurricane Sandy was and how much of an impact it made on land. I just pray for everyone who was affected by the Hurricane and I pray that all of the areas that suffered damage can recover. Thank you for sharing your personal experiences.

    Thanks MELISASource, I am thankful for my experience because I know it could have been much worse. When I finally was able to watch TV the stories I heard of how hard others were hit made me realize that my three days were nothing in comparison to how Sandy effected others. It is important for us to prepare and be aware of the potential results of mother nature.

    Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us; I to continue to pray for those effected by Hurricane Sandy!

    Oh Thanks Jennifer! Yes some stories are very sad. I was extremely lucky! I am glad that Maine was spared, I absolutely adore Maine! I went once for my bday and went white water rafting, that was crazy!

    Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us!

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