Alert — and very insightful — “06880” reader Jane Nordli Jessep sends along these thoughts:
As I write this I know many fellow Westporters are still without power, warmth and light. Even those of us lucky to have only an interruption of electricity experienced a sense of dislocation. It’s unimaginable what others here and throughout our region are dealing with, losing homes and loved ones.
One’s heart is touched by the sense of loss everywhere. And one is inspired by the efforts of members of our community who are in the thick of things helping others. The young woman who organized rooms originally reserved for runners in the NY Marathon for the displaced in New York.
The fellow who is collecting goods for those hit hardest in Staten Island and New Jersey.
The neighbors who reached out a helping hand to neighbors they know only superficially. The people who opened their homes to friends in the dark and cold. The firefighters and police who have been on the job relentlessly. It all makes one feel so grateful.
I also feel a huge sense of gratitude to the town crew and the CL&P workers, including the hundreds from out of state who are here.
Many crews from out of state drove long hours to get here. This one is from New Hampshire.
Anyone who drove around in the aftermath of this storm must have experienced the sense that I did when I saw some of the devastation. It seemed impossible to imagine the clean up could happen in less than 2 weeks, if not more. The tangles and jumbles of trees, wires and downed utility poles on so many streets were truly beyond words.
Yet here I am this bright Sunday after 5 days without power writing this, with a heart full of appreciation and gratitude. I’m not sure who to thank, and I doubt any of those workers will read this message. Yet I know many “thank yous” are in order.
One is reminded that despite some of our foibles as a town, we are at heart a community that can be generous, kind, compassionate and helpful.
NOTE: Like Jane, many people have asked how to thank everyone who has helped in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. I’m not sure; click “Comments” if you know (or have someone to thank). Of course, a gift card to Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts for utility workers — and anyone else you can think of — can’t hurt.