Surviving Sandy

I’ve started this post a few times over the last few hours, trying to think of what I want to focus on. I’ll admit it, I’m grouchy, cold, and miserable right now as I sit  for the 6th day in a row, waiting impatiently for MetEd to finally get to us. We’re apparently last on their list, despite dangerous downed power lines.  That tree up there has been sitting there since last Tuesday morning. The power lines outside the picture area are snapped and dangling on the ground all over the place.   I’m just so tired of looking at it and knowing that as long as it sits there like that, I’m sitting in the cold another night. While I’d love to rant about that, I have to keep reminding myself that it could be so much worse.

I know I have it so much better than many people right now. New Jersey and New York really got hit hard, and a downed tree on a power line is nothing compared to the devastation they suffered. So, instead of focusing on how miserable I am right now and how I’ll never live in an area serviced by MetEd again, I want to take a moment to thank those who did help us survive Sandy. People who have gone above and beyond in some way, or people who just plain made it a lot less miserable of an experience than it could have been.

  • First, thank you to my good friend Dana and her husband Joey, for bringing us a generator the minute their power was restored. They got theirs back the day after the storm, and Joey was at our door an hour later. If you live in the Poconos and ever need any plumbing or electrical work done, call Grim Mechanical!
  • Thank you to the  Red Cross. Their volunteers have an uncanny ability to remain kind, positive, and helpful despite dealing with cold, grumpy, and traumatized people. We’ve been to the mega-shelter at East Stroudsburg University (ESU) to take showers and warm up almost every day this week, and everyone there is just wonderful.
  • Speaking of ESU, they’ve generously given up their field-house (the gym, pool, etc)  for over a week now so that people have a place to go to warm up, or in some cases, to live for the time being. Students have had to deal with traffic, cars parking all over the place, kids running around, and, of course, grumpy people, and they’ve all been pretty great about it.
  • Friends I haven’t seen in months (because life got busy), or in some cases, 20 years, who offered support and a place to stay when they got power back.
  • My freelance clients (and friends) who have been so incredibly patient through all this. You know who you are! Your patience and positive thoughts have meant the world to me this past week!
  • The PR people  and companies that I’m working with right now on reviews, for their patience and well wishes.
  • My dear friend Beth and her husband Mike, for the firewood to keep us warm and a place to hang out and commiserate together. Sitting it the dark with good friends is a lot better than sitting alone. Thanks to them, also,  for putting up with my increasingly frequent mental breakdowns, even though they’re dealing with the same misery!
  • ShopYourWay  for giving those of us in the Sandy-damaged areas  $10 in rewards points to spend on necessities. That was such a nice gesture on their part, and is very much appreciated.
  • Although MetEd itself has been horrible, all the workers who came from as far away as the other side of the country deserve thanks. I’m really sad to hear that they haven’t been treated so well around here. People are actually flipping them off on the road! They’re following orders, so it’s not their fault we don’t have power yet. They left their families and comfortable homes to come sit in hotels and work 16-hour days, so show them a little appreciation if you see them out and about.
  • Thanks to Mother Nature for not taking my house. So many people in New Jersey and New York have lost everything. While the winds were terrifying that first night and I dreamed of trees coming through my window, my home was not damaged. If you have the extra money, consider donating to the Red Cross for Sandy victims who are in dire need of help.

Cross your fingers that today is the magical day that my power comes back on! I haven’t seen a MetEd truck at all in here since the storm, so I’m not too hopeful, but hey, it can’t be dark forever, right? Again, thank you to everyone out there who helped us survive this. Even if you’re just sending out  positive thoughts to those affected, I’m grateful to you!