02 November 2012

Miraculous

Dear Friends:

I'm thinking about you all, wondering how you are, hoping you are well and happy. I appreciate that you continue to read about my life from your homes around the globe, and I remain buoyed by your kind words of support. I wish I had more time to read your blogs or email and text you, but my free moments are fleeting. However, a few weeks ago I read this post on Julie's blog.

I was hiding in my room, hoping to finish my cup of coffee before any of the boys noticed me missing, so I quickly scanned the post. Now, normally I'm a fairly positive gal. I've overcome my fair share of adversity and I have faith that most everything will turn out okay in the end. I consider myself a spiritual person, inclusive in my beliefs, because I basically think a rose by any other name is God. But when I saw Julie's "Miracles" card, I rather cynically dismissed it. I was pretty sure Jesus Christ wasn't going to come down and cure my mother's pulmonary fibrosis. But you know, sometimes miracles aren't quite so splashy.

We've been on a quest to install a house generator since the beginning of September. Ulysses and I could debate who had the greater odyssey, from failed delivery attempts ("No, that 18-wheeler won't fit down my driveway; and no, you may not leave the 500 pound generator at my curb."), to delayed permits, locked electrical panels, and a propane company that failed to understand that MY MOTHER WILL DIE WITHOUT ELECTRICITY ("We're sympathetic, but we just can't schedule your site survey/gas line installation/final hook-up without generator placement/ permit numbers/final inspections.") So, with Hurricane Sandy bearing down on New Jersey we finally got the propane company to agree to come out last Friday to hook up the preliminary gas lines, followed by a visit from the plumbing inspector.

Then I got sick. Sick-in-bed sick. Felled, if you will, by the only thing that can keep a good mother down--an intestinal virus that had flattened Three two days earlier. I managed to get all the kids off to school before collapsing, but I knew I wasn't going to be able to direct the propane crew or meet the inspector.

But then my brother arrived. He's been taking a day off from work each week to visit my mother, so he assessed the situation and took control. The plumbing inspector arrived before the work crew, therefore having nothing to inspect, but when Sean told him our situation he told us to do whatever was necessary for my mother and to call him when the job was done. When Sean found out our final hook-up wasn't scheduled until Wednesday--you know, AFTER THE HURRICANE--he enlisted one of his friends to act as our advocate. Sean described her as a "fixer," so I don't know if she made the supervisor an offer he couldn't refuse, but the company agreed to come on Monday to finish the job.

The Captain stayed home Monday to make sure the crew showed up despite the gusting wind and rain. They did, but when they completed the pipe fittings they informed us our propane wasn't scheduled to arrive until Wednesday--you know, AFTER THE HURRICANE. The Captain made me stand in the room with him while he spoke with the supervisor, I imagine to prevent him from making death threats. Finally, at about 4:00 the propane truck arrived and filled the tanks in the 40 mile per hour winds.

And then we waited.

The power cycled on and off and each time the generator kicked in and took over. We watched through the night as substations glowed in the distance, exploding under the weight of downed trees. The boys read me their twitter feeds as their friends lost power. But we did not.

Eighty percent of my town remains without power as of today. My children haven't been to school all week and there is no target date for their return. The Captain cannot get into New York because New Jersey Transit doesn't know when trains will be running. Tracks are broken and obstructed by everything from trees to boats and cargo containers that washed ashore. He can't drive in because there is a two hour wait at the tunnel, and he can't waste the gasoline. If one can find a gas station that has power, there is a three hour snaking line to fill containers and tanks, plus a ten gallon limit. Police are deployed to prevent violence as people grow more desperate. This is just what is happening in north Jersey; the shore is completely destroyed, and those poor people face much greater obstacles.

Sean and his family lost power so they are staying here tonight. They lent their generator to an elderly couple because the husband relies on oxygen converters, just like my mother. They arrived with the food they could salvage, their clothes to be washed,their children and their dog. Our house is open to those who need it, because we feel blessed. The fact that we remain safe, that our mother is protected in this haven of light and heat is amazing. You might even say miraculous.

21 comments:

  1. I'm so happy to hear from you. I've been worried about you and your mom. That is a wonderful miracle and I hope more are coming your way in the form of aid and repairs. FGBVs to your whole state.

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    1. Thanks, Delia. We just got our power back downtown, and I got gas in my car! Two more small miracles.

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  2. I'm so glad you've got what you need right now. Getting things cleaned up and running again is a frustratingly slow process. It was about 4 weeks before Houston started getting back to normal after Ike. And that wasn't normal-normal. That was just safe drinking water, power restored to most (but not all) areas, schools opening up again, businesses mostly open again. I don't say this to scare you. It's just hard to imagine what this process is going to be like if you've never been through it. FGBVs that what looks from the outside to be a strong federal response means that you'll continue to have what you need, and that things will get back up and running soon. I'm glad to hear that you're all safe.

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    1. Our town feels so lucky compared to what's happening down at our beaches. Irene devastated our town last year, followed by the crazy snowstorm that knocked out our power and shut our schools again. It took months to rebuild, so we're so thankful we didn't flood again. But it just looks so overwhelming for other parts of the state!

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  3. Holla, woman. God is good, and he has given us family. To support us, and frustrate us, and to break our hearts and mend them again. We are so much more than we ever expect ourselves to be, and I credit it that to Him and the families (born & chosen) he gave us.

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    1. We are surrounded by even more family tonight! I ramble on about how I'm going to move to the middle of nowhere when my kids all leave, but I think they've figured out I'm a big liar. Right now there are 17 people in the house, Pappou returns on Tuesday and my sister will be here on Thursday! God must think I'm good at this sort of thing.

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  4. My heart is smiling for you, your family and your mom!

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    1. Thank you! It's nutty here right now, but we're still smiling too!

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  5. Thank goodness for miracles small and large, and for large, loving, and open hearts like those of you and your family's. Sometimes you have to make your own miracles. And I am so glad that you all weathered the storm well.

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    1. Mom calls our house her "cocoon of love." It's a noisy cocoon and getting crowded, but it is definitely full of love. And I think that's helping to keep her here with us a little longer.

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    2. This made me cry. Your Mom has her family in a cocoon of love when she most needs you all. Many blessings to you and your family. You still have your Mama with you, enjoy every last second.

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  6. As a witch, I believe in miracles. I also believe that we help to make our own miracles happen, which is clearly true in this case. You are blessed to have family (and fixers) and to all be together.

    I am SOOOO happy to hear that you are okay (although still dealing with crap). Hang in there, roomie.

    Sending big hugs and FGBVs for things to get cleaned up and straightened out soon.

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    1. Thank you, Deborah. I think what I learned is to appreciate the small miracles, the triumphs in the everyday. Keep the hugs and vibes coming, because another storm is headed our way. I'll send the same back to you for no snow!

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  7. I am so happy that you are all healthy and together. As your post illustrates, your collective family is a force to be reckoned with. I'm very glad the the propane people got the message. For their sake! They have no idea of the bullet they dodged.

    My niece and her fiancé have been staying with me for a few days as they live in lower Manhattan. But power was restored last night so they left this morning. No idea when the sibs in CT will get power back. Tell Sean and his bride they are rock stars for lending the generator. Just the sort of thing they would do.

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    1. I've been worried for your CT family and will keep them in our prayers. I'm so happy Manhattan is almost up and running, as the Captain would like to check on you personally, but I think we're in for a long haul to recovery.

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  8. Cathy M3.11.12

    It sounds like you had a really difficult time getting your miracle to happen, but obviously your combined mojo was powerful. I'm glad that you're all safe and sound and I hope that things continue to improve quickly for everyone dealing with the aftermath of Sandy.





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    1. Thanks, Cathy. I do believe in the power of positive thinking, but however it happened, we're grateful! Now I'm off to set up beds and blankets for the extra family...

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  9. Wow. I may cry.

    So glad you are all well and living in the cocoon of love! (Crowded or not, it's the best place to be.)

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    1. Even if it's dusty and smells like boys.

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  10. That is indeed a story full of miracles. :-) What a welcoming, warm, and resourceful family you have. I'm so glad you guys are alright, and I'm proud to be bloggy-friends with so many beautiful people like yourself. Much hugs.

    (And how did Julie catch your plague over the internet?? I didn't think it was possible, but that seems to be what happened.)

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    1. I think it gathered strength as it traveled through the computer, a la The Matrix!

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Thanks for reading! Unlike other Diaries, this one isn't private. Feel free to share your thoughts. Politely, of course.