“If a hurricane doesn't leave you
dead
It will make you strong
Don't try to explain it just
nod your head
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move
On” – Jimmy Buffett & Matt Betton
Buffett & Betton wrote, “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On”
after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Alabama and
broke the levees in New Orleans. The
lyrics are from another tragedy but they certainly still ring true. We can’t explain such things we can only
pick up and move on. From those who
have been through the storm to those who are going through it now I highly
recommend this Tumblr: http://sandykatrina.tumblr.com/. It shows people from NOLA giving messages to people sorting through life after Sandy.
That said, I’m from the Jersey Shore. I grew up right outside of the island of
Wildwood & Cape May in a hamlet known as Green Creek, NJ. I saw my share of storms as a child but
nothing the likes of Hurricane Sandy. I
heard people talk of the “March Storm” of ’62 yet I never had anything to
really compare it to until the last few days of October. I still live in South Jersey with my brood;
however, we live farther away from the shore now in the Vineland area of the
state.
The storm’s center was over our county. We were in the
eye of the storm where it was quiet and eerily calm. While we were nestled in the eye Sandy raged against the
coastline of the eastern seaboard. The video & pictures are eight shades of
creepy and, as per 11/3/12, “At least 181 people have been confirmed
killed across the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, and the Bahamas, as a
result of the storm” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Sandy). Property damages are being tallied at $50
billion. 50 billion. Homes and lifetimes; places of business and
worship have been swept out to sea.
While I am thankful that we were spared Sandy’s wrath my
heart breaks for those other shore dwellers whose lives have been torn
asunder. You have my love, my prayers,
and my support. The Salvation Army and
The Red Cross are two organizations that are often the first line of defense
against disasters such as Sandy. I have
personally seen these organizations go to work in people’s lives after the storm has passed. There are many storms in life. I know for a fact; however, that these two organizations do good work.
If you feel led to donate here is where you can do so:
The Salvation Army:
If you can’t give monetarily you may be able to give some of
your time. Volunteers will be
needed. There will be much to clean up
at the Jersey Shore and in New York’s southern boroughs. From what I can gather, Staten Island really
took a hit. The words, “war zone” have
been used to describe the damage there.
Do what you can, where you can.
Thank you and God bless.
“According to my watch the
time is now
The past is dead and gone
Don't try to shake it just
nod your head
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move
On”
