This week Ailsa, at wheresmybackpack, offered up a “bright” challenge. As I am always and forever the procrastinator, bloggers left and right were posting some fabulous takes on the theme and in doing so, took a few of my ideas. Well, they didn’t exactly take anything. They more like beat me to the punch. These ideas were formulating in my head (and sitting on my hard drive) but, as always, good ol’ me – a day late and a dollar short – or several dollars to allow for inflation. Alas (does anyone use that word, really?) I am forced to stray a little from what Ailsa probably had in mind, but here it goes.
Many, if not all of you by now, must have heard about the devastation that bore down on the east coast last week. Her name was Sandy, and she was wicked. The losses are too numerous to mention. Monetary calculations reach into the millions. Lives were turned inside out and memories were wiped away with the force of the horrific rain and wind that blasted it’s way into so many lives.
Jeff and I were one of the more fortunate.
We drove to our place in Brigantine when we were finally allowed to cross over the bridge. There isn’t much I can say. The pictures speak for themselves.
The north end of the beach was pounded by waves that rushed over the seawall to the right. Everyone was working together to clean up and help out.
This is where there use to be a house.
All some people could do was stack the mud and dirt, along with their possessions, out to the curb.
When we pulled up to our place, this is some of what we saw.
Siding ripped from the house, pieces of fence torn from their frames, a broken screen, what use to be our mailbox (someone said a unmanned boat floated down our street and crashed into it. OK?) a refrigerator flipped on its side, and a cracked driveway.
We spent the day putting the contents of our garage out to the curb: the flipped frig, a few beach chairs, our grill, our bikes :-(, tons of tools, and a bunch of other stuff.
We were lucky.
Channel 6 news (ABC) partnered with the American Red Cross to raise over 17 million dollars to help the people devastated by Hurricane Sandy. If you haven’t given, 10 bucks will do the trick. Ten bucks times all of you. Wow!
Click here to donate to the American Red Cross and help those people in need. I did. It just takes a minute. It will put a “bright”, beautiful smile on your face and give you a feeling of extreme satisfaction :-).
There’s always a positive side – a “bright” side, if you will.
We finally cleaned out our garage!
Please pass the link to my blog to your friends. There are so many people that can use your help. And thanks, Ailsa, for the opportunity to make a difference.
Dear Bliary 
Glad to hear you and Jeff are safe
Thanks, John and Mary. The news is talking about another storm tomorrow. Fingers crossed and hoping this just ain’t so!
That’s cleaning out the garage the hard way! Yikes. Good for you – looking at the bright side.
You know me – haha 😆
What awful damage Gemma. It’s good that you and hubby can look on the bright side, but it must have been quite a shock when you arrived at your house. I suppose you had no idea what you might find. I’m so sorry for all those people who have lost everything. The ARC are doing a great job by all accounts.
Like I said, as. We were the lucky ones. I have a house that’s still, more than most, in tact. I am so grateful, but feel for those in need. The ARC along with channel 6’s drive, will make a difference. We all can.
Thanks for you visit. *hugs*
Good to know you and yours are well, sorry about the damage. Pictures like this make everythin closer.
Thanks, Bente. This was nothing compared to some areas. I was not able to get to the really ravaged areas. Let’s hope for a quick recovery.
🙂
Oh, Gemma! I’m so sorry — but also glad that it was no worse. (That always seems like cold comfort, but it’s true.) The house still stands, and the things are things, and you have such a positive attitude that you WILL go forward.
I hadn’t realized you live right AT the ocean.
Be safe in this latest storm, and hope that it will prove much less than advertised!
Thanks, T2T. So far so good. Gotta keep the faith. 🙂
Sorry to see these pictures 😦 … but you were safe during the storm, which is the main thing. I hope this one coming up won’t be so bad. Good luck!
Yes, Vladimir. Safety first 🙂 . I hope the people that need it most get relief soon. Thanks for your good wishes. :-).
OOHHH no – I heard another storm was heading your way. Stay safe, Gemma.
So far rain, and rain, and rain and wind, and c-o-l-d! Thanks, Marianne. :-).
That is so awful, Gemma. Keep warm if you can… Good luck!
Have food, electricity, heat, and a roof over my head. I’m good. Thanks, Amy.
So sorry the disaster you are hit with Gemma. Take care!!
I guess we all get a turn in the barrel. Blah! But better days are coming :-). Thanks, Deborah.
wow; i cannot imagine what it must feel like to wonder if you have a home. you must have been so relieved. z
Very relieved. We were the fortunate ones. The news continues to display more devastation – people with nothing left. Two weeks later and they are just being able to return to their homes and salvage what they can. In some instances, that’s nothing. So so sad.
thanks for the follow-up. few of the details trickle down to remote areas like where i live.
how quickly the world focuses on the next ‘trending now’crisis and forgets the people who are still enduring yesterday’s disaster. it reminds me of this summer’s wildfires in Colorado.
i am glad that your home was spared.
z
🙂
I’ve just read this post. Wow, it shows how powerful waves are. They’re almost like hands ripping shreds off buildings, or buildings off stumps… We frequently hear news bulletins here about American hurricanes or tornadoes. You have some dramatic weather events over there! I hope the storm demons have gone back to the bottom of the ocean. May they stay there for a century or two.
Demons. Yes. It really is quite insane. They can’t stay away long enough. No power, no heat, no water, no gas for cars in many cases. And in some, no homes or businesses left to return to. As sad as it is, it continues to amaze me how resilient people can be. We have a home that sits up high. All of our damage was outside and we lost everything we stored in our garage, but nothing compared to lots of others. We were very lucky. Many, MANY were not. It did bring people together, though. That was one bright spot. 🙂 in all of this.
The pictures are amazing… My heart goes out to all who lost so much during the storm so, so sad. Some folk still have no power..
It’s mind- boggling.
My thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families. May soon they will return to their new home and for the time being find comfort and warmth among since and true friends and family. The pictures are moving. I felt the pain of the victims just watching the images of devastation.