Because this storm isn't something
that blew in from far away, something that has nothing to do with you. This
storm is you. Something inside of you. So all you can do is give in to it, step
right inside the storm, closing your eyes and plugging up your ears so the sand
doesn't get in, and walk through it, step by step. There's no sun there, no
moon, no direction, no sense of time. Just fine white
sand swirling up into the sky like
pulverized bones. That's the kind of sandstorm you need to imagine.
And once the storm is over you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won't even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about.
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore
And once the storm is over you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won't even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about.
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore
Quite a bit happened from the last time I wrote
here. We had a little event last Tuesday called Hurricane Sandy. Just a little
gust of wind and a couple drops of rain. No big deal. YEAH RIGHT. My family and
I were some of the VERY fortunate
ones and we only lost power for 4-5 days. Besides dealing with lack of heat,
hot water and no cell reception we didn’t suffer any loss at all. Lots of
people near the Jersey shore, Hoboken, Staten island and other towns in NY dealt
with major damages like flooding and harm to their homes, cars and sadly even
lives. The entire week was a major shock of reality that at any given moment
life as you know it can change so count your blessings.
It was also a big reminder that we live in a great
nation. Our mayor took to Twitter almost immediately and began answering
questions and addressing problems of down trees in neighborhoods. Comfort
stations were set up in locations which did have power for people to charge
their electronics, take a hot shower or simply enjoy the heated shelter. It was
frustrating not knowing when power would be restored, but it was comforting to
know that officials were working hard and continuously to restore life back to
normalcy. Our township arranged a Trunk or Treat event over the weekend since
the hurricane occurred too close to actual Halloween and roads weren’t safe for
children to be out. It was a wonderful idea since the kids really did need a
positive change from all the chaos that had been ensuing all week. A week later
now, most people we know have had their power restored, lines at gas stations
no longer have 4 hour wait times (Governor Christie instated a ration system
which helped but also less generators are being used so demand has gone down
too), and most importantly, the in pour of help to locations who desperately
need it is amazing.
My husband and I plan on joining an organization
this weekend who is working with the Red Cross in setting up shelters in
disaster struck locations. I feel so guilty for complaining about anything I endured
when I see entire towns completely under water, homes swept away and lives
lost. The very least we can do is pray for them, and a little better is to roll
up our sleeves and help them recover.
Today also is an important day for me for two
reasons. My Nana (maternal grandfather) passed away 2 years ago today and as an
American it is also Election day. Those two events are totally unrelated but
combined they created emotions in me that somehow relate. Remembering my
Nana reminds me of the kind of person he was and the memories he left us with.
Memories we will cherish forever. Thinking about him reminds me that one day
I too will be 6 feet under, and makes me wonder how do I want my posterity to remember me?
Sandy was just another wake up call that life can be taken at any moment and all
that remains is for the ones left behind to pick up the pieces and put them
back together. I want to change myself so when people pick up the pieces of
what I leave behind they are filled with pride to have been a part of my life. I
truly wish to help others, not just with my money and my words but with my time
and efforts. I intend to become an active member of my community, for example by
voting for officials in my town and state and on a large scale for my nation’s president.
My governor and mayor made me proud this week and I will continue to support them.
I hope to do things within my community that actually make a difference. I want
my grandchildren someday to remember their Nani not just for her love for high
heels, chocolate, Cinderella, and a crazy obsession with handbags. I truly hope
to change myself to be a generous person. A person whose essence is kind and
giving. Often times we only help others when it is convenient for us or when it
serves our ego, but it’s another thing to just make that generosity a part of
your nature. It becomes what you are doing all the time without even realizing
it. I want giving/kindness to become natural to me, not something I take time
out to do. We have a few brief moments in this place, let’s spend them doing
something wonderful.
Look here to see what I wrote about the last election and what it signified to me.
1 comment:
its true we dont realize what we got until we go out and see rest dont got anything..
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