I've been waiting for you a long, long time. And that's all I'll say about that. Besides, this outgoing October was, with precious few exceptions, a most miserable month. Most. And the agony of it will be with so many for quite some time to come.
My sister describes her hometown on Long Island as a "war zone:" no electricity, no deliveries of gas or food, no stoplights, long hours at the hospital where she works and the streets treacherous with traffic and no stoplights. She described taking all right turns to finally get to work because she dared not take a left. The wail of sirens is continual and the hum of generators constant.
Let us say a prayer for the weary who are putting in double shifts for days on end...the caretakers, the police and fire departments, the mayors, the utility workers. Sigh. I feel like going back to bed just fretting about it. And the fact of it is, other than opening my checkbook and praying, there is nothing I can do. I know that many are opening their homes and giving what they have to those without electricity or food or the opportunity to take a hot shower. God bless them. The knitting together of a community becomes so important in times like these. I am convinced that when this thing is "over" that each city, each town, each neighborhood will be the stronger for having lived it together.
John tells a story of the Ice Storm in the Northeast and Canada back in 1998. Many people were without power for up to a month...all of January...the coldest month of the year. It was brutal. John was trying to keep a number of his clients afloat by keeping their generators going and getting gas delivered and groceries and such things. Most of the people were elderly and he was very concerned for them. One day, he arrived at a home to find the Mr. in bed sick and the Mrs. on the floor of the living room rocking back and forth. John feared that she was right on the edge so he went quickly across the room and sat down on the floor with her and hugged her and told her that everything was going to be all right.
She didn't lose her mind. She is well and whole today and, understandably, has a special place in her heart for John.
That's what caring does, it allows us to walk beside and to encourage and to say, "It will be all right."
I found this quote at Susy's
Start where you are.
Use what you have.
Do what you can.
You have said it all so beautifully, Vee. I am so glad you were not in the direct path. You are right - at the end of it all, communities will be stronger, but what a way to have to get there. I have friends who are doctors in NY and life is definitely a challenge for them right now too. Homes/hospitals/family/patients/friends. Yes. A challenge.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Vee. What a kind and wonderful thing John did. I know you feel a special blessing that God brought John into your life, too.
ReplyDeleteLove the redecorating you've been doing here.
During the night a thought came to me that I need to help our two youngest grandchildren understand compassion for others. I woke up with that on my mind and wondering how to go about it. They are only 8 and almost 4 years old. I was thinking about sending each of them $25 and telling them that it is to be used to bless someone else. Any thoughts or advice?
Thank you for sharing that most beautiful, heartwarming story illustrating John's compassion. How blessed you are to have found someone with such a heart. And how blessed he is to have found you, a soul who cares deeply and is moved by the hurts of other people.
ReplyDeleteThe stories that are coming out in these hours and days after the storm are heartbreaking. I continue to pray...
You have said it so well, the devastation is incredible, but the spirit of love, community and compassion is even more so.
ReplyDeletecontinuing to pray,
Niki
Words of wisdom dear Vee.
ReplyDeleteWe need to really think about the others who were so impacted. Jeff added a link to the Red Cross for donations.
Sending love and thanks for your words.
I am off to work with 45 lively second graders. Oops, maybe I need another cup of coffee (I usually drink tea, but on the road you can't get good tea).
Love,
s
Yes, I see how devastating it is in the north, and your words have made it very real too. I was born in Long Island,N.Y., and have such a special place in my heart for N.Y.
ReplyDeleteI am praying for these folks and for the hard road back. Thanks for sharing Vee.
You have written about all of this so well, and how I love hearing about your hubby's heart and compassion. I also love to hear those stories of people pulling together and doing for others. It renews our hope in others and in this great nation. My heart and prayers are with them all.
ReplyDeleteVery well said Vee. One of the many things I love about this country is the way we pull together to help total strangers in need.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Penny
So well said, as always, Vee.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with your sister and all of the others who are dealing with the aftermath of this super storm. Last night the reporters were all talking about the whooshing sounds of natural gas leaks that could be heard (and smelled) everywhere. I can only imagine how terrifying that is on top of all of the other destruction.
Through your writings I have come to know John as a very kind person. The story you share today is a prime example. It brought tears to my eyes.
Susy's quote is, indeed, a good one. So glad you shared it.
On another note, it seems you and I were thinking alike when we chose blog titles this morning.
A good ending quote here, Vee. I am sorry for your sister in the middle of such loss. I'm just 30 minutes from where Sandy made landfall - yet our town was largely unscathed. However, our Jersey shoreline is gone. Many of our churches are mounting relief efforts. This is not an overnight fix - pioneer days for many. Hopefully our resolve and perseverance will match our forefathers in rebuilding lives and fortunes.
ReplyDeleteJoy!
Kathy
Vee, this post brought tears to my eyes. I don't get much news here from the US. Just snippets on our Canadian news as we don't have cable or satellite. I have seen a few of the photos but you have put it into perspective in your words almost more than the photos show. It is a desperate situation for so so many people. And you're right. They, as a community, will be stronger for it. It will take time and healing and rebuilding but it will happen. There are crews from NB Power here in New Brunswick headed to the Boston area to help restore power there. We have such close ties with New England over the years as we have helped each other out in different disasters. It continues today. God bless all those who are affected by this devastation. Warm hugs, Pam
ReplyDeleteEvery night's newscast brings more scenes of suffering. Thank goodness for the kindness of neighbours and for politicians who seem to really care about the people. It's such a terrible situation - it's hard to believe things will ever be normal for those people again.
ReplyDeleteyes we are hearing more and more of the stories as people try to dig out. There are many heroes. It takes me back to our hurricane Hugo which took us by total surprise and we were several weeks without power. But this is much worse and so widespread. I get weary thinking of it but as you say, we can pray and give. Good post and, yes, thinking of the long shifts of the medical people.
ReplyDeleteThe hug from one can bridge more trouble than even money in stressful times. John is a wise man to have known that.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we all just need to remember it's the small things we do in the big situations that mean so much to people! Very nice post Vee!
ReplyDeletethat was just lovely, beautiful,
ReplyDeleteVee, you said it all perfectly!!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful heart warming post.
That is a great quote, Vee, and a great post. xo
ReplyDeleteVery well shared, Vee. When your lights go on with a flip of the switch,it's hard to imagine that many are in the dark. The longest we've been without power was 4 days with freezing temps. That drone of other peoples generators really gets to you after a while. We don't own a generator. I continue to pray for the east coast and for all the first responders out there trying to restore life to a kind of normal. My niece and her family still don't have power or running water. Thankfully my niece and my grand niece were able to get to the in laws who got their power restored.
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect wisdom to start the new month. And we have history unfolding this month too. I hope and pray that those on the east coast stay strong and endure the hard days and nights ahead. God bless folks like John and your sister.
ReplyDeleteTears pricked my eyes as I read your post, Vee. The story of John hugging the elderly woman is touching, and so apt. Hurting people are all around us, even where no disaster has struck. We may not be able to do much physically (other than give and pray) for those who have lost so much, but we can hug those people around us who are hurting.
ReplyDeleteThe devastation is just hard to grasp. I see the news and am horrified.
Blessings and peace on you today, Vee.
My prayers for all of you. It is hard to think of the devastation without crying!
ReplyDeleteThere must be a billion little stories out there...not little to the people going thru them...
ReplyDeleteI heard one mother had two sons swept away..aged 2 and 4...I so pray they have been found.
What a horrible storm and now the aftermath is just horrible. No gas,not much safe drinking water...just terrible.
I have to say we, out here in West Texas, had a most delightful October...one of the prettiest I've seen. We are blessed.
This is a wonderful little quote. While this storm may be a distant memory for most of us those that live in areas that were heavily hit will be feeling the effects for quite some time...we (I) need to remember to keep those folks in prayer
ReplyDeletelovely post. i love the saying ... God bought us to it & he will bring us through it. that had such meaning. i hope things will work out well. keeping so many in my thoughts & prayers. would you please keep us posted. big hugs. (:
ReplyDeleteI could not have said it better or even as well.
ReplyDeleteI loved the reminder to lift those weary caregivers up to the LORD for strength right now. Thank you for reminding me. I pray for those in need, but have neglected those who are filling that need.
What a beautiful thing, John did....
ReplyDeleteHaving your sister be "deep in the war zone," as it were, certainly makes all these statistics and news bites real. The sound of the news, makes us sort of zone out. It's hard to comprehend the extent of the misery.
But your sister makes it so very, terribly real, for you. -sigh-
And this is another time when one can wonder if it is proper to just keep blogging? About such every day things, as we can? Such lovely every day things.
And yet, what good does it do those in need, if we were to just kind of stop-in-our-tracks? None. -sigh- None.
So, we deal with it...... With going on so well... While others suffer so....
Gentle hugs,
"Auntie"
Such devastation and hardship this storm has caused. Our hearts are changed when we live through and hear of such a disaster! What a blessing to have kind people and first responders at times such as these!I hope November brings new hope and relief.
ReplyDeleteWell said Vee.....so so sad all that devastation......Blessings Francine.
ReplyDeleteYou said just the right thing in just the right way. Not all of us have it in us to put this tragedy into words that don't sting and bruise but inspire instead.
ReplyDeleteBless you.
i love that sweet story about john
ReplyDeleteand love that you two found each
other.
we are praying for all the dear
homeless and 'energyless' int the
northeast.
That is one terrific quote, Vee. Well said.
ReplyDeleteGod bless your sister and all the others affected. I am thankful the storm is past.
Very well stated. I told Audley today that I wish there was more that we could do that just open the checkbook. My thoughts and prayers are with all affected, especially your sister. Thank you for sharing John's story. I so love hearing the good that comes from bad moments. I just wish it didn't take such bad moments for our country to pull together.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend Vee!
Wonderful post, Vee. I loved reading about John, he sounds like such a dear man. He knew just what to do.
ReplyDeleteMy heart and prayers are with your sister and all those who are affected by the terrible storm. God bless all them all.
Hugs,
Cheryl
That was lovely an inspiring post.
ReplyDeleteMerle.......
I have a couple of good blogging buddies on Long Island and they were very lucky compared to others. What a horrific event. It's wonderful to hear the stories of families helping families in need.
ReplyDeleteI hope your sister didn't lose too much!!
Perfectly said, Friend!
ReplyDeleteThat John, he's the kind of guy you want for a friend, isn't he?
Deanna
Your heartfelt post has touched many many people I see. I was very touched by the story of John hugging the elderly woman. We are meant to support one another and really it is a blessing that goes both ways.
ReplyDeleteThis afternoon I listened to stories of meals on wheels volunteers in New York who were carrying meals up 25 floors in buildings where lifts were not working to bring food to elderly and infirm people who could not get out and then going on to the next highrise where someone 15 stories up needed food....I hope this power is restored quickly. So many people need it for medical reasons. But there are always blessings coming out of such dire situations, blessings of people pulling together and helping one another. I hope your November will be much much better than your October, Vee.
That was such a heart warming post Vee. It's hard to imagine being in the midst of all that and not knowing what to do. My prayers go out to each and everyone. It's very hard to understand why the New York Marathon has to go on when those resources are needed elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteHi Vee! Just stopping by for a quick visit - Loved this post altho I'm sad for those who are without many of the basics right now. I just love John - he is a gem and loves people, I can tell. He's caring and kind. Bless him!
ReplyDeleteIt was been a harrowing few days as we've been trying to help others who were effected by the hurricane any way that that we could. As we cehecked up on people their stories has us in tears and emotionaly spent. More and more help is coming so it will get easier, but so many lost everything but their lives. Please keep them in your prayers!
ReplyDeleteLove that quote...and the 'John story'. He is a gem...that I know.
ReplyDeleteGod bless your dear sister, Vee. I continue to pray for the many affected by the storm. That's a great story about John and his special compassion/encouragement for the lady.
ReplyDeleteHi Vee ~ I'm back from our trip and catching up on blog posts. I love you guys ~ always a good word in season. I was delighted to see my little quote here (: and so glad it was meaningful. Hugs and blessings.
ReplyDelete