Oh Sandy

I'm not sure what to call it-irony, guilt, befuddlement. I woke up this morning with the power working and the leaves fluttering in the tree outside our window, still perfectly intact. Then I read the paper and hear that the East Coast just experienced a 100 year hurricane super storm and that New York is a major disaster area? I know this is true: the pictures are awful, 33 have died, and millions of people don't have power. But we've been so completely untouched by anything more than rain and wind that, yeah, I guess I'm having a hard time labeling the experience. Blessed, I guess that's the one best word.

Thanks to all of you who have called or texted us. The concern that the rest of the country has shown, I'm sure, is a huge support to those harder hit, and it was a comfort to Dane and I as we waited to see just how bad it would be.

Now the question is, how long will it take for things to go back to normal? When can we kick out Alex, the unemployed refugee from Canada who is staying with us during the storm (just kidding, he's a friend from BYU who had to stay a few extra nights because real storm refugees were taking his place at another friend's house)? When will the subways be up and running? It's hard to describe just how dependent this city is on our public transportation. I'm so grateful I have a job that has been understanding, but I know there are lots of people who desperately need to get back to work and may find themselves walking a lot for the next few days.

I guess my perspective is that I'm glad it wasn't worse and that everyone had so much time to prepare, but I know that is not how a lot of people will remember Sandy, and for them I'll have to see if there are any ways to help with the clean-up efforts.