Last week we had a a full moon, a blizzard bearing down, and a gigantic hurricane collude together to create a fluke of a superstorm for the Northeast bring us torrents of wind and rain. Hurricane Sandy rolled in during the wee a.m. hours of Monday, and was gone by 10 p.m. Our neighborhood maintained all utilities throughout, and managed with only a minor disruption to our normal week when schools were closed Monday and Ian's gymnastics class was pushed to Saturday for a make-up day.
Other towns had trees down on power lines, roof-tops, and cars, causing electric outages for several days for some people, but for the most part MA was spared.
On the other hand, we see in the news pictures of NY/NJ with flood-waters running down the streets and pumps draining basements of high-rises. I hear there are still a million customers without power a week later. We have a large volunteer clean-up effort up and down the east coast to send workers to dig out sand, replace drywall, and dispose of ruined furniture. We received notice that church members could have an "excused absence" to go work this Sat/Sun, with our particular congregations assignment at a project in Queens.
I thought I would just let you know that we have appreciated the outpouring of compassion and folks checking in with us. Here's a list of some of the communication (mostly by email) of folks who have checked in on us:
People looking out for my well-being
Mother
Brother (VM)
Sister (FB)
Bishop from our LDS Ward
People who provide me daily services
Ian's Elementary school
City of Woburn
People who provide me utilities
RCN (internet, enables VOIP calling)
ATT (cell phone)
National Grid (natural gas)
NStar (electric)
Companies based in NY who had some disruption
______ Adoption Agency (from 2009)
Emigrant Direct (online bank)
Jet Blue
Presidential Candidates? or President?
Barack Obama (rather, Jim Messina, Obama for President campaign)
Companies that I tried to log in to but couldn't.
Minuteman Library Network
Opportunists?
Tmart.com
I knew it. Someone was going to feign compassion but really be in it for the money. Here's an image from a company in China that I bought some button cell batteries from, so they had my email. Reading their letter, I can tell that they almost got the grammar right, and they nearly understand how to write a letter motivating me to spring back and spend some money. Check out that graphic, too! Awesome!
To be brave and live in hope, and please give our best regards to you, friends!
p.s. Why do you suppose they chose a watermark with candy canes and a kissing ball?
This is cracking me up! WOw. really.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm so glad you were spared major power outages and flooding. Our prayers were with you...and are now with the snow storm as well!
ReplyDeleteFor the record--it was FB chat which seems infinitely more personal than a note on your wall. Just to clarify. Should have called. :)
You're totally good. Don't worry about it. I just thought it was interesting to look at where the contacts were coming from.
DeleteDon't you think Brian Regan would have a heyday with this sort?