A storm comes in the dark of night. Gusting winds blow houses, trees, and people every which way. Little rain falls but the ocean breaks free of its sandy prison guards and burst onto the streets. Nothing is dry, nothing is salvaged, nothing is left. I have recently suffered at the tyrannical hands of Hurricane Sandy. Living on the Jersey Shore put myself and loved ones right in her outrageous path. Luckily my neighborhood survived with little more than fallen down trees and lasting power outage. I wish I could say everyone weathered without a scratch.
All across the New Jersey coast and 5 New York boroughs Sandy showed her true face. Waters swept onto Hoboken streets. Cumbersome trees snuffed out the lights of New York City. A lake of mud and debris littered Staten Island. The mighty Atlantic etched a new outline of the shore. The devastation left in Sandy's wake has left hundreds dead, thousands homeless, and millions still without power. Never has a storm with such severity hit the East coast.
After the storm passed we were all left in total darkness. Beyond not having light or heat, outside communication was severed. News through transistor radios kept us informed yet shielded the horrible images post hurricane. Nothing could prepare me for those horrifying photographs of my beloved beach town, Sea Bright, in utter despair. This high energy shore stop bustled during its peak months from May to August. Now condemned by the state, Sea Bright will have to build up from the ashes.
If anything good has followed, it is the exhibition of community. Hundreds, in my town alone, have volunteered at make shift shelters collecting and sorting through food, clothes, blankets, and other essentials. A Staten Island coworker of mine lost everything. Within 24 hours our boss organized a donation drive for him and his family. Thanks to the many contributions of the Staten Island community, he and his family have warm clothes on their backs, food in their bellies, and a place to rest their heads at night. It is times like these when we truly witness selflessness, but why do we have to wait?
Please, if you can, help victims in need. With the pending holidays just around the corner this is a fragile time for those who have lost. Donate to your local shelters. Volunteer your spare time. Give back to the community you call home. Let's not stop at that. Hurricane Sandy was a reminder of how precious and fleeting this life is. Don't wait for disaster to lend a hand. Show your community love year round. Whether it be cleaning a local park or aiding those in need, just get out there.
I am proud to call myself a "Jersey Girl,"and no amount of wind, rain, or snow will ever bring this state down!
