Drowning My Memories

I threw away a lot of memories today. Hurricane Sandy drowned them in filthy water and putrid sand and mud. It hurt when I tossed the guest books from the funeral homes that took care of my grandparents and parents.  Inside one of them was a letter that I wrote to my dad toward the end of his life.  My handwriting is still visible on the slippery paper but I'm afraid that if I move the paper the words will slide off.  In this same soggy mess I found a perfect dollar bill where my dad had written, “I Love You” to my mom. It made me cry.

I had to toss my parent’s record albums.  When we cleaned out their home four years ago we saved the Frank Sinatra Christmas album, a couple of German marching songs along with the other records that reminded us of our childhood.  Today I stuffed them in a black contractor bag because they were covered with mold spores. I had a quick thought that I might save them if I threw them in the sink with some dish soap but no, I’d just be wasting my time and I had to keep moving.

Most of the things that Sandy stole were pieces of my childhood.  Of course I have my memories but as I get older, the memories will begin to fade and I might need something to touch, read or gaze at. I dumped a bunch of old pictures too.  They were of relatives from a century ago.  Sandy washed their names away so I tossed them in the black bags too; so long strangers.

I wound up keeping a couple of sweaters that belonged to my dad and mom along with a bag of my mom- mom’s linens.  I also picked up a sampler that my mom worked on in elementary school. I can’t get all of the mold spots out of it but at least I saved it.

As I pitched the pieces of my childhood I had a thought.  Perhaps my parents had Sandy destroy all that stuff because they wanted me to get rid of it and to save some of my own memories. Maybe, but when that happens I’ll be sure to place them on the highest shelf.

Has Your Job or Business Been Impacted by Hurricane Sandy?

While waiting in line to get into Sea Bright the other day, I heard a woman say that she was fired from her job because she couldn't get to work due to Hurricane Sandy. That's not right but is it legal? Unfortunately, we'll be hearing more and more stories like this.

This is an email from my friend, Mary Ellen Clark, Assistant Commissioner of Labor, Workforce Development at New Jersey. The links will take you to the information you will need as a business owner or individual job seeker and have been affected by the hurricane.

There are two worksheets posted on www.jobs4jersey.com with information for both employers and individuals in NJ who have been impacted due to Sandy. NJ was awarded a National Emergency grant and working with local municipalities for them to hire to do clean up and humanitarian work. Almost all of our One-Stop Career Centers are open as of today (exceptions being Eatontown and New Brunswick who may still be without power), people can go there to get help and internet access. We have a SandyHelp hotline and email set up to answer inquiries and help direct people to assistance – info on the fast fact sheets. As we get set up for the emergency grant and temporary work, we will be using our 23 Jersey Job Clubs as places for information about temporary and volunteer work – the calendars for workshops are up on the www.jobs4jersey.com website."

Sandy

Hurricane Sandy swept up the east coast like the Wicked Witch of the West; just in time to ruin Halloween and spit out buildings and property like so many broken teeth. As I sit here without power for going on ten days, I think about S-A-N-D-Y and her wrath.

Mud and silt on the windowsill along with a stereo speaker.

S- Social Media: I relied on my smart phone to get through our first few days without electricity. Until we got a stronger generator three days after the storm, we’d charge our phones in the car and then log on to Facebook to learn of the destruction, curfews, and to see the photographs and videos the decimated towns.

Waters pushed the bed and furniture across the room.

A- Angst: Unless you are in this area, you cannot fathom the destruction. Sandy was our Katrina. She has killed 41 people in NY City alone and caused billions of dollars of destruction. She has pounded the citizens of NY and NJ and thousands are still in the dark.  Help is needed and some people won't leave their dark,cold homes for fear of looting.

Beach club cabanas swept across the street and landed in a boat yard.

N-Normalcy and Nastiness: Putting aside gas rationing and grocery store madness, things are starting to return to normal. At first, tempers spilled over and blood pressures were on the rise but that gave way to compassion, normalcy, humor and caring.  It will take a while but NJ has proven to the world that we are "Jersey Strong", and not at all like the "Jersey Shore".

Major road buried under 6 feet of sand.

D- Destruction: Sandy was a killer and she battered buildings and fences and beaches and roads like a prize-fighter.

Sandy tossed the living room furniture after lifting it up four feet.

Y – Why: Sandy has passed and the clean-up has started.  If you are in the area, why not volunteer at one of the many organizations that are begging for help collecting or sorting clothing, driving patients to doctor appointments, feeding the homeless or assisting someone clean up the destruction.

The day after the hurricane. Beauty and serenity.