Emmaus Patch Reflects on Sandy’s Teachings

It hasn’t always been easy watching my boys deal with Sandy this week -- starting with the myriad preparations as we got ready for her visit, followed by the scary hours of howling winds and torrential downpours Monday night, and now the still lingering aftermath of her time in the Lehigh Valley as we drive past uprooted tree after uprooted tree and try to cope with what seems like far longer than three days without electricity.

It’s all been tough and it’s been a continuous learning experience for me as a parent.

From the beginning, rather than try to hide the impending storm from the kids, my husband and I decided to involve them in our preparations. After all, it’s hard to cover up a bathtub full of water for very long.

Today, as we were approaching the summit of day three without power and day four of no school, I decided to ask the boys what they would remember most about Hurricane Sandy.

After a moment or two of thought, my 8-year-old said that he would most remember the new friends he has made as we have camped out at numerous locations this week, piggybacking on the electricity and WiFi connections of those somehow spared from the Superstorm’s destructive powers. A proud moment for the mama who feared the darkness and cold or the hunger pangs from skipped meals would be the dominant imprint on his impressionable young mind.

So, I then decided to put the question to the Emmaus Patch community via the Emmaus Patch Facebook page, asking what Emmaus Patch Facebook friends would most remember about Sandy or the biggest lessons they had learned from Sandy. Here, too, I was filled with pride, as friends and neighbors expressed a great sense of humor about what has been a trying few days and an appreciation for what is truly important in life.

What will you remember most about Hurricane Sandy? What lessons has the past week taught you? Tell us in the comments. 

What follows are some of those 20-plus Facebook comments. To see all of them, and to follow other Emmaus Patch news and events on Facebook, like the Emmaus Patch Facebook page.

Teri Goszka: Neighbors should work together to keep trees trimmed and many days of power outages away! I hope we can get on top of this one! 

Nikki Swartley: In situations like these it doesnt matter if your blood or water you become a family together

Jessica Gauld: That life should be taken one moment (or hour) at a time. Sometimes that's all you can do, especially when things are scary, uncertain, or difficult. At least this way, you can always look back and say "I've made it this far, I can make it through."

Amanda Pitts: I learned if I'm the first one of my friends to have power it's not only a blessing but my obligation. I learned some of the greatest things I can do is offer hot showers, live television in a warm living room, a washing machine and kids for your kids to play with so they don't drive you as crazy. I learned how quickly society changes when people are hungry, cold, and desperate. I learned how helpless and guilty I feel watching the news from my warm living room and seeing people, 2 short hours away, that are going to freeze tonight when it gets into the 30's without power, shelter, gas, communication, etc. I learned alot.

Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick: Never buy a house and move right before a hurricane. :)

Wenda Howe Boyer: that the passion to care for an abandoned horse far exceeds the risk of 80 mph winds and blinding rain....

David Ruyak: That me, my wife, our kids, and our dog all snuggled together in front of the fireplace every night is something to be cherished and that's all the necessities I'll ever need. That, and the sure way to get the power turned back on is to finally hook up the generator (about two hours later, on came the lights!).