Despite the cruel winds, crashing rain and howling storm I feel thankful.

Thankful that underneath it all we still have fresh water from the taps and gas to cook our food.

Everything that we take for granted everyday are precious gifts. The lessons we learn are many.

Although a flood of darkness overcomes us after sunset, I still feel grateful that we have a roof over our heads and that the car and the house survived the storm.

Last year, in August, Irene gave us training. We had to leave our newly purchased home the first day we moved into it. This year again there this is this deep lingering thought as to why an area that hardly gets affected by storms of this nature, is getting affected twice in two years in a row. My heart goes out to all my neighbors, our fellow survivors and the families of loved ones who lost their lives. Clearly God has mystical ways of displaying His infinite wisdom.

As the last bar on my cell phone and the last bit of battery charge left on my laptop scream out to me to stop I am forced to go back into a technology less world to face the many challenges that were just a part of life for my grandparents and great grandparents.

It is mind boggling to think of how much we depend on electricity to run our everyday lives. Whether it is too microwave a cup of tea or entertain the children with a video, electricity has definitely proved itself to be unimaginably important.

My children would probably not remember this phase and hence one day if they read this I would like them to know that yes Sandy happened to New Jersey in 2012 and we survived it. We feared for the safety of our loved ones and the safety  of our belongings but finally  we got through it without much loss or damage. A week without power, a week to connect, to pause, to think… to collect life and to go on…

So did Sandy do us any good?

the power failure was overwhelming, the depression was worse than I thought... What good can any of this bring - definitely a valid question.

In a weird kind of way, we connected with other people hit by the storm. The same basic needs brought us together. Everyone was trying to help someone with something they needed whether it be food, medication, information or just a pat on the back.

I just hear that a snow storm is making its way towards us. While mixed feelings and emotions run through my mind… I am grateful for the little blessing we have, the numerous friends who opened their hearts to us, the neighbors - some of whom we only met because of the storm.
Life will bring us its storms and test our limits. Hope will keep us going and prayer will get us there Insha Allah!