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Fandom Fights Hurricane Sandy
by Sarita Dreaming
Hurricane
Sandy tore through many areas, leaving destruction, devastation, power
outages . . . homeless residents. I'm from New Jersey and live within
five miles of the ocean. We were lucky enough not to lose our home, but
many of my friends, neighbors, and co-workers weren't so lucky. Then
there are our neighbors in New York, many areas of which were hit just
as hard.
In
the days after the storm, we were virtually cut off from everyone. We
were without power, phone service, Internet . . . most of the time our
cell phones didn't work. We had a hand crank radio we used to listen to
news updates. We waited in line for over two hours for gas. We went
into a Target to stock up on canned goods, and the shelves were emptying
fast while the cold section was closed off with caution tape. It was
necessary to travel the homes of loved ones to check on them because we
had no other means of communication. The horrific events brought out
the Good Samaritan in many, creating a sense of solidarity with
neighbors and acquaintances as people offered what they had that others
were lacking. It also brought out the ugly in some. There was looting,
fighting, jealousy, and pettiness. Generators were stolen during the
dark of night. There were even people calling police stations to
complain about noise ordinances when their neighbors had generators and
they didn't.
Once
things became more organized around us, we started to gingerly explore
the area. I couldn't stop the tears when I saw houses off their
foundations, roofs ripped off, the contents of people's lives strewn
across their lawns and the streets. Residents were picking through what
was left of years of memories, trying to salvage something, but the
huge piles at the curb showed how futile it was for many.
Governor
Christie and all the rescue workers and power crews from NJ and other
states did a terrific job. There were shelters opened, free ice and
water, free hot meals, blanket and clothing donations. But even with
all of the assistance we've received already, it's going to take a long,
long time for New Jersey to recover. Many well known seaside locations
were destroyed, many historical sites gone.
An
event such as this changes you from the inside out and the outside in.
There is no coming through it the same person you were going in. I
think I've come out of it with a new appreciation for my blessings,
although I've always been grateful for what I have. I also have a
healthy respect for how fragile our infrastructure truly is. We can be
knocked into the stone age so easily.
Thank you to the angels who put together the Fandom Fights Hurricane Sandy
This fandom always comes together for those in need, and this cause is
obviously close to my heart and home. I'll be writing a story for the
compilation. I hope if you're an author, you'll consider writing a
story, and if you're a reader, perhaps you'll consider making a donation
to the Red Cross. For a minimum donation of $10 you will receive the
entire compilation of stories. For those of you out there affected by
Hurricane Sandy, I hope you're getting your life back together and that
you and your family are safe.
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Thanks for being the amazing readers that you are, and for all of the support you give to all of us in this amazing fandom, in all that ways that you do.
Eternally Addicted
