This year Thanksgiving has a whole new meaning for me. Last week I made my annual road trip to visit my family in NJ, chain saw and tools packed to help with the cleanup, to celebrate and give thanks for much more than usual. I have family all over NJ and was blessed that although they lost their power for almost two weeks, forced to wait in gas lines on odd and even days for hours on end, lost income needed to pay their mortgage, that no one was injured or worse. The devastation that Sandy caused through the region is so wide spread that it seemed no one was untouched. Living up on the south coast of MA my area was relatively untouched by the storm but I feel it's impact through the stories of those I work with, family and friends. It's been two weeks since the storm and the news has moved on. The news has moved on to fighting in the middle east. No more scenes from Atlantic City, Staten Island or Cape May but trust me they look like war zones still and will for years to come. Homes that survived the storm have to be torn down anyway due to mold and contamination.
Families lives will be forever scarred by the financial hardships and memories Sandy destruction left behind. My brother in law and his sons have been donating their time delivering food and demolition seeing firsthand the hardship of the victims and outpouring of humanity form everyone else. Thousands from all over the country have been offering assistance, hotels have slashed rates for families in need of housing, and many have opened their homes to those in need. So this year I am thankful that God spared my family from this devastation and also for the hearts and generosity of all those that stood up and helped out their neighbor. So please find a charity that supports the Sandy Relief effort and make a difference.
