Last weekend, weather forecasters repeatedly gave their warning of the possible wrath that could be caused by SANDY. I was concerned... for my family... for my friends... for my "home" state.
Monday came and I checked in with my parents... sister... 3 brothers... and some friends - all who live in New Jersey. It was rainy and windy and Sandy was coming toward the shoreline with FULL force.
I received phone calls around 8pm that they lost their power by around dinner time but I kept myself busy so I wouldn't think too much about them... although I tried to keep praying.
Monday night came and it was reported that SANDY had come on shore, heading across the state of New Jersey around 8pm. I watched some news/ weather reporting, but finally went to bed just wishing the night would end so that the storm could be over. I woke up several times that night... each time checking the clock to see if I could get up and call my parents to check on them. ... Finally, the dawn arrived and I got up, headed downstairs to make my coffee, turn on the fireplace and turn on the TV.
Devastation. Complete devastation. Of so many familiar places in my "home" state.
The Jersey Shore... where I spent many fun summer times during the summers.
The amusement park at Seaside Heights - the roller coaster! - IN the ocean!
The beautiful trees for which the wonderful 'Garden State' is known.
Its been a couple days... 4 to be exact. The power is still out in a very large percentage of homes in the state. Many people's homes are flooded or worse yet, completely destroyed or swept away by the storm surge. My family and I watch the reports on the tv and know that what we are seeing in the videos doesn't even come close to portraying how awful things are there. - Makes us feel helpless.
My parents still don't have power and don't know when they will get it back. Same with my brother and his family and my sister and her family. Thankfully, they have generators - and most importantly, they have a roof over their heads and they are alive and well.
