With the recent hurricane that slammed so many of us, we’re seeing more and more signs that we have to change our ways in order to survive.
I’ll admit. Living in New York and being raised in the city, I never once considered that weather was anything to worry about. To me, a big snowstorm, used to mean having the day off from school, playing in the snow and drinking hot cocoa.
Now I feel differently. I realize that it can also mean many more things that don’t have the same kind of romantic ring of nostalgia. Things like leaks, floods, falling trees, damage to property and in some cases-loss of life. Now snow is a much more serious business than it’s been. Overall I have a much greater reverence for nature than ever before.
I was one of the lucky ones and my only loss was being without power for a week. Sure, it was freezing cold in the house, and frustrating to be without my creature comforts, but as I watched the reports of the horrific losses endured just a few miles away by my neighbors who live in Piermont, I was able to put things into perspective. I realized that somewhere along the way –feeling the reality of my frozen fingers and the frustration that comes with feeling helpless, I lost track of being grateful.
While I was moaning and groaning and complaining about being cold and offline, frustrated by the too close for comfort living conditions with my family, huddled together for warmth in smaller spaces, there were people around me who had their homes washed away, along with every earthly possession they own.
That was a real wake up call to realize how lucky I am. How ’bout you? What has Hurricane Sandy reminded you to be grateful for?