Easter Sunday

Traditionally a family holiday.  Easter egg hunts in your yard with your kids, grandkids etc.  Special baked goodies with grandma's recipes.  Easter baskets that have been handed down through the family.  That one day you can use grandma's egg plate!  Special table linens that are for holidays only.  So many of these things were washed away in Union Beach. 

I was home with my family working in our yard Easter weekend.  We had the last 6 trees cut in pieces that were blown down from Hurricane Sandy (23 trees fell)   There was still trash and so many branches and piles of leaves all over our yard. 

I was thinking how most of my friends in UB didn't have the luxury of raking leaves to clear their yards.  Most still have dirt that quickly turns to mud at the sight of rain.  There is still trash and debris stuck in their yards.  It's not safe for their kids.  Cutting a few trees would never begin to put their yards back together. 

Then I thought how their traditions were also washed away with the storm.  Grandmoms china, moms awesome recipes and holiday linens were soaked and ruined.  That silly easter basket you have used your whole life gone. 

How strong my new friends are.  They are navigating a new way of life.  New traditions, new homes, new schools and new jobs.  Most lost all of their precious pictures of their families.  But something that they know did not get washed away was their memories.

5 Months

It has been 5 months since Hurricane Sandy.  Five months since the water took so many "things."  Families in Union Beach are still picking up the pieces and trying to rebuild their homes, schools and businesses.  They are still living in rented apartments/houses waiting.  Waiting for the red tape to disappear - waiting to move forward.  Waiting. . .

One thing they are not waiting for is Hope - that is one thing that the hurricane did not wash away.  I saw a sign that said:  The hurricane did not wash away our hope - it only watered it down so more hope can grow!

God blessed Union Beach.

Little Angel

Still moving through my days in a fog.  Waking up to a cool sunny day then BOOM it hits you - my mom is no longer here on earth.  I had forgiven and cut through lots of childhood and adult crap that we give and take from our parents before my mom died.  My mom and I spoke at holidays, birthdays etc.  I last talked to her on my birthday in February. 

My doxie Sidney was very sick the week my mom died.  I had to rush her to the emergency room.  She never came home.  We said goodbye to her late Friday March 15th.  Needless to say I have been in a sort of foggy funk on and off since.  I miss Sidney in the morning when she could not wait for her food to be placed on the floor so she would jump and bark.  Our other doxie Cody just sits patiently waiting.  She did not like being quiet (kind of like my daughter!)   Sidney would alert us when someone was at the door or if a loud car drove by.  Sidney was pushy and bossy for being only 12lbs.  She never knew that she was not a big dog!  She chased squirels, foxes, rabbits, birds, chipmunks and a coyote.

I love you little angel.  I miss your smelly corn chip toes!

Niagara Falls

I went on a trip to Niagara Falls (U.S. and Canada)  March 8-11.  I wanted to go since I was 7 - I remember someone going over the falls in a barrel.  I wanted to do that! (not thinking I could get hurt)  I love the water and what better way to see the falls!!!  I figured I could be famous at the age of 7!!  Well I'm not 7 - in fact I'm 53 years old.  When we got to the falls late Friday I realized that maybe going over the falls in a barrel was not a good idea. . . at least in the winter.  The river was frozen below.  The Maid of the Mist boats were all out of the water and stored on land away from the hundreds of feet of frozen water. 

We could not believe the thunder of the rushing water.  I loved it immediately.  It was exciting and scary all at once.  On Saturday my husband and I drove to Canada.  I was surprised that crossing the border was like waiting in traffic to pay a toll on the Garden State Parkway!   We drove down by the falls and could really see all of the falls.  The U.S. only gets a glimps of them in the winter because most of the park is frozen and closed for safety.  Gosh there is an incredible amount of ice 50 to more than 100 ft high!

I woke up Sunday feelling out of sorts and very weepy.  I wasn't sure what was up til we got a message that my mom had died.  I will bring my kids back to the falls to make new memories.  I don't want that to be the place to remember my mom dying.

I guess that's how Union Beach is.  The place where their town was almost washed off the map by Hurricane Sandy.  

They throw the word Hope around town - it is a blanket of comfort.  A blanket to cover up their pain.  A blanket that helps them all put their feet on the ground each morning to move.

March

March:   The third month of the year.  A form of movement.  To walk steadily and rhythmically forward in step with others  To proceed directly and purposefully. The steady forward movement of a body.

All of these definitions apply to Union Beach 

The 3rd month of the year. . .tick tock (a lot of families are still waiting and waiting!) 

A form of movement - this has been happening in Union Beach since the storm.  Helping friends and neighbors to safety, feeding them, clothing them etc. 

To walk steadily and rhythmically forward in step with others - with the help of donations and volunteers the town has managed to survive with the help of others. 

To proceed directly and purposefully - I saw first hand how the town pulled together and walked for Hope.  They wanted the world to know that a storm as devastating as Sandy is NOT going to stop their movement forward to rebuild this tight community.  Their family.

The steady forward movement of a body - I saw families in the first week after the storm with vague far away expressions on their faces.  Not knowing what happened and how to proceed.  I saw mom's that couldn't feed their kids if it were not for the makeshift pantry in Borough Hall.  Fathers that lost their cars - driving old, beat up borrowed cars of caring friends and family.  Small steady movement to propel their feet forward so they can move through their day.  Then another day into weeks that have turned into months.

Some days hope is hiding in Union Beach.  Some days hope is out in the open in the sunshine.  Some days hope is pushed back into the closet of fear when the news reports another storm is heading for  the east coast.  I know a family whose kids are afraid when they hear of bad weather approaching - they panic and start to gather their few belongings they are now starting to accumulate. 

It did flood the end of February in town.  Just a few feet.  Doesn't matter how much because the towns people keep pushing forward to rebuild their homes, schools, places of business - their lives. 

What if every town in the United States had this much hope?  This much love?

God Bless Union Beach

Sandy

It has been 4 months since Hurricane Sandy.  There are still families waiting to hear from their insurance company to see if they can afford to rebuild or if they have to relocate.  There are many families living in trailers, hotels, the upstairs of their homes and in friends home.  Families in Union Beach are still relying on the kindness of their neighbors, friends and extended families.

I met Sandy last November.  We worked keeping the toilet paper, paper towels, towels, socks etc. in order.  I worked with the best group of people and laughed all the time.  Sandy always had a great joke to share or just the right words to bring smiles to everyone!  As the weeks passed I learned Sandy used worked in the local high school as a truant officer.  I was touched by how she remembered so many students that are now adults with their own kids.  Sandy, her sister Vera and many of her high school classmates were volunteers.  They have known each other for more than 45yrs!  How cool is that.

Sandy and the other ladies are still volunteering helping their town.  I was blessed to meet and work these amazing ladies.  You all ROCK!

Andy and the guys!

There is still a need in Union Beach.  As the town is demolishing homes each day there is a need for supplies.  When there are supplies they need to be delivered so Andy, Tom, Bill, Larry and the rest of the guys help.  It's a dirty job that gets done each day.  They take lumber etc. and load it into the containers for storage.  They work outside and don't complain about the cold, rain or snow.   Someone need to be on duty for deliveries that arrive each day. 

As the months have passed (over 3mths) since the hurricane the town is still a mess.  There are still hundreds of houses that have condemned stickers on their front doors waiting to be torn down.  There are houses still sitting waiting for a decision from insurance, FEMA etc.  There are still families that do not know if they can afford to stay in town. 

For the families that are rebuilding on their own they go to borough hall and get on a list for appliances, furniture, drywall, wood etc.  When their name comes up Andy and the guys help them with their supplies.  It's such a nice thing these guys do each day.  Some are retired.  Some work nights.  But they all are angels human form!!

Union Beach Walk of Hope

Union Beach had a huge turn out for their Walk of Hope.  About 1100 people participated in the walk.  They were let down streets (starting at the beachfront by police, fire and rescue squad vehicles) past their neighbors damaged homes and lots where there used to be homes.  There is still debris on the roads and in the marsh areas of town.  It looks like the town was in a war.  There are still families living in their homes with no heat. Families that live on the second floor while their first floor is completely gutted.  And many families that live in trailers next to their condemned homes. 

The one thing I noticed as people walked by was their hope.  They were smiling and laughing with friends old and new and swapping horror stories about their insurance companies.  But they were hopeful that they would be  back in their own homes.  I watched as the town walked by and couldn't help crying.  These are my friends that I met that were walking zombies the first few weeks after the storm.  They came to borough hall for supplies when they were covered in mud because the town was still under water.  As each week passed I saw their faces change.  As they came to grips with what had happened they started to slowly move towards rebuilding.  They begin to wear their own clothes not borrowed and foraged clothing.  There was eletricity for heat and showers - spirits lifted.

On the walk I saw a sea of blue.  Blue is Union Beaches color.  Blue is usually associated with being sad.  In Union Beach it is the color of HOPE!

Billy the Artist!

There have been many unsung heroes in the town of Union Beach, NJ.  Many anonymous people that have given money, food and supplies.  After the Walk of Hope a New York City artist gave his time and his clothing line to town residents.  He spent hours signing autographs, taking pictures and listening to stories of the storm.  He was very kind to the town.  Billy gave hats, scarfs, gloves and headbands with his own unique artwork on them!  He reminded me of a leprechaun with his energy, smile and his red hair that was peeking out of his hat!!

I spent time with other volunteers (including my daughter) matching hats, scarves and gloves for kids and adults!  The pile of donated items shrank as we laughed and swapped colored items between us.  I hadn't planned on volunteering just going for a walk with my friends.  I got to borough hall and realized that help was needed so we jumped in.  I got to see more familiar faces that I missed at the walk.  It was such an amazing day! 

I love when everyone is working for one goal.  Smiles on the beautiful faces in Union Beach!

Furniture Looking for a Good Home

Since the storm in late October 2012.   Families have been very slowly moving back to UB.  They are still hoping to totally rebuild their homes and this awesome town!  One day at a time.  That is the theme.

One day a stranger in a truck or van will drop lightly used furniture on the side of Borough Hall.  The residents know that it is a first come first serve kind of deal.  So you will see people drive by on their way to work, school and errands to see what kind of furniture is out.  The outside guys make sure it does not get wet or soggy by tarping it in bad weather.  The guys will also help to put it in your car or help deliver it to your home.  I was working the desk one day when a mom came in all excited asking if anyone had claimed the dressers outside?!  We told her no and she was so happy to have something to put her kids clothes in .  They were living with laundry baskets for dressers.   Again something you don't think about being really important in the grand scheme-as a mom I can say that routine with kids and having their own things in their own space is important.

I am glad there are still generous people in this world that would take the time to drop off a piece or two of their belongings for someone else to adopt!

Supplies from Angels

I am surprised by the donations.   There is a constant stream of building supplies, food, water, coats etc. . . being dropped off in UB.  Towns from all over New Jersey and beyond have been bringing what the town needs to rebuild their homes and lives.  A lady drove a rented truck from Virginia with lightly used appliances for the town.  It was a welcome sight for those that have no way to cook dinner except for a microwave. 

Kids in school buses have delivered lumber.  Churches have delivered thousands of meals for locals and volunteers.  Local business have delivered so many delicious pizzas, pasta, soups, chicken and beef main dishes, salads, desserts!  As christmas approached the deliveries turned to toys and gifts for the residents.  Many were still in hotels or with friends and families.  Christmas was going to be tight for most.  There were so many organizations that helped fulfill the kids and families holiday wish lists.  It was awesome how strangers on the internet bought and sent gifts to borough hall! 

I know there are still many things the town families need but I can tell you HOPE is something that is in abundance here. 

Ed

There are so many wonderful volunteers in Union Beach!!  I noticed Ed around Thanksgiving.  He's a little older than I am but he is strong and spry.  He works moving water and supplies to peoples cars, moving all the donations around outside Borough Hall.  Ed and the other guys work long hours outside in the cold.  I really don't know how they do it.

Ed and I bonded one cold day when he came in for lunch.  I was helping serve and said something sarcastic to him and he quickly responded.  He reminded me of one of my smart-alec brothers (I have 5.)  So from that day on I would recommend the best food that was being served and often joked that I wouldn't touch a certain dish (only because it was so delish) but he never took the bait.  He figured out early on to take the opposite of what I said. 

As Christmas approached the hall was very crowded with gifts, tree decorations, lots of food etc.  Ed and the other guys that carried all of the heavy stuff were very busy in December.  When I showed up January 2nd I heard Ed was sick.  I was sorry to hear that he wasn't feeling well.  It's not the same without Ed.  I miss you.

January 2nd, 2013

It's a new year!   2013 arrived quietly.  2013 still has many families on the east coast homeless because of Hurricane Sandy.  2013 I going to be the year of rebuilding lives and towns.

I went to the pantry with a friend - Kelly.  We sat at the sign in table for a while.  We asked everyone that was signing in for supplies how their holidays were.  Low key was what we heard.  The new normal in Union Beach.  Low key because most did not spend it in their homes.  Most did not hold their family celebrations with kids, grandkids and great grandkids in their homes.  Most did not have their treasured family ornaments.  Most did not have their china to eat on.  So Low Key pretty much described 2012 Christmas.

There was not much going on when I arrived in Borough Hall.  Volunteers that went home to Michigan, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and other states have not returned in full force.  There were local volunteers that were helping deliver drywall and lumber.   There were volunteers serving lunch.  There were volunteers sorting donations that showed up. 

I did not mention that there were smiles.  Even though most were not in their homes for the holidays they were thankful.  Thankful and hopeful.