In the last six days, I haven’t gone a single minute without thinking about the disaster that happened here. Even though I’ve had to start taking care of other parts of my life, for instance-the laundry I’ve got in the dryer at the mat right now, the weight of Sandy is always with me. The images are there in my mind, my thoughts are constantly with the victims in the city and outside of the city that were so badly effected.
We have all been effected here even if it wasn’t catastrophic for everyone. I still have my apartment and my car, I even still have my power, but I don’t have my transportation and I don’t have work. My salon has been closed for a week because of the power loss. For several days I wasn’t able to see Piperjane, because the bridge to get to her was closed. Thankfully, she was safe and happy. The only apparent change in her facility was that the phones weren’t taking incoming calls properly. I don’t take for granted how lucky I am to live in such a safe part of the city. I’m on a hill, which had me never really worrying about flooding. I was moreso worried about falling trees and breaking windows, which was the worst it got around here. When I look at the homes that burned down or flooded to the point of ruins, specifically in Rockaway and the Jersey Shore, I feel guilty for my unbelievably good fortune. I love my city so much. It’s my home. I came here as an adventurous 20 year old hoping to chase my dreams. This city has given me so many gifts. I feel like it’s a real person sometimes…a family member or something. It’s made me smart and scrappy and strong. It’s provided me with tools for a future that would have never been possible otherwise.
The marathon needed to be canceled from the start. Staten Island is without water and power and that being where the race starts, it felt horribly wrong to have a pre-race party when a few blocks away people are sorting through the rubble of what was their home. I hoped and hoped they’d cancel the race, but when they did I cried. The marathon is one of this city’s main events. Canceling the marathon for the first time in it’s 43 year history was more proof of how bad things really are here.
Again, I’m grateful. Everyone I love is safe. Even if they’ve been effected badly, they’re all safe. And I’m grateful for the wonderful company I had all week while cooped inside. There were times that were even pretty fun, which feels a little wrong to say. My friends and I all work so much and have such busy schedules, I feel a new and special bond after spending so much time together throughout this.
Pre-storm on the Hudson River (New Jersey behind me)
Fort building during the lockdown.
Baking like crazy because I had the time.
A very special reunion with this girl who lost her first tooth the day of the storm! My little gapped-tooth cutie!
Thank you so much for sending me the very sweet emails and comments. I’m sorry for my delay in posting. I hope you are all safe and happy and well. We’re in this together.
I am not the only one that is happy you posted and that you are safe. That PiperJane is doing well… congrats on the tooth loss. *Γ*
I am with you when it comes to the marathon. Cancelled is good. The runners that are volunteering to run supplies in to the harder to reach areas… even better. When you have a talent like that and the health and strength to help… kudos to those runners!!!
Hopefully… your workplace is up and running soon… but I am sure those that have benefited from you baking will be a bit sad.
ToOdLeS.
Yay! I’ve been checking here every day to see how you and Piper did. So very glad to hear you both came through a-ok.
<3 <3 <3
I hope the tooth fairy brings Piper Jane something special!!
So glad you’re safe, Reagan. We’ve been thinking of you. My SIL is in Brooklyn. She just moved there in August to attend NYU, so she is a newbie New Yorker. We are grateful that she was able to stay home and safe during the storm, as well.
Piper Jane lost her first tooth? How cute is that? My daughter, Lillian, is about the same age and has her first wiggly tooth – it will be a matter of days when she will have a gap in her smile, too!
Take care,
Dawn
I’m glad you’re safe. And that toothless grin — priceless!
Glad that you and Piper Jane are okay!!!
I’m so glad you and PJ are safe and well. She is so cute with her missing tooth!! Also, I think it’s ok that you made the best out of your situation and I’m glad you got a few days off to spend with friends, even if it was because of an awful natural disaster.
My sister and all my friends back there made it through just fine, as you did, but they all say the same thing about the survivor guilt. I wish there was something I could say to make it go away, but I totally get it. I guess it’s just about doing what you can without endangering yourself in one way or another.
Funny how when I got my hair cut by you recently we were talking about those rare times when we get to be in close daily proximity to certain people we love – sounds like you got some of that recently and that’s a good thing for you and, I think, the world, regardless of the unfortunate circumstances. I guess I think the things that truly connect us to other people only serve to increase our empathy and generosity towards others, so maybe that’s the purpose that having fun served in this case?
Best to you and Piper Jane!
Thanks for posting! I’m so glad you and Piper are safe. I wish you a wonderful week and i’m so glad you got a little break. Love you!
Hi Reagan – the other day when the marathon was cancelled I mentioned my friend’s husband, Bob, who had just flown to NY from the UK. He’s spent the last 2 days volunteering – Saturday at a community centre in Manhattan – and Sunday on Staten island distributing supplies. After 6 months of traniing to run a race and raise funds for a children’s hospice (long term care facility. like where Piper Jane lives) – instead he’s been helping people of NY. We are so proud of him.
I check in almost every day to look at your photos! It is great to see this post. So thankful you and Pippy did not experience any majorly devastating storm problems like so many of the ones we keep hearing about. So sad.
Always love to get news of The Pip, and I am majorly loving your fort! : )
Great post Reags.
So glad you and Piper Jane and the others you love are safe and sound. My 5 year old just lost her first tooth on the night before Halloween. I LOVE those cutie smiles with holes in them!! What a big girl your little darling is becoming!
glad to hear you are safe and sound and wee Piper too
and happy to see a post today
I am so glad that you and Piper are safe. I thought of you hearing abut the storm since you are the only person that I know in NY even though I don’t know you but I feel like I do. Take care. I enjoy your blob so much.
I’m so glad you and Piper made it through the storm with minimal damages! I was so lucky here in Northern VA – they predicted power outages and flooding but it missed me and my friends and coworkers. It’s heartbreaking to see the losses in NY and NJ. I had the same guilty feeling for having fun during the catastrophe when I got to go home early on Monday (wind too dangerous to drive in) and I had a movie and craft night with my best friend. I like what Heather M said, that at least it was a chance to reconnect with those we love – and also be reminded of what’s important. I’m also super jealous of your fort! Why didn’t I think of that?!
Glad to hear that you and Piper weathered the storm well. I was thinking about you both as I watched the storm unfold on my television, here in the Pacific Northwest.
What a cutie your little Piper is.
So happy to see this post.
I too am very happy those near and dear to you ok!!
That pie looks completely decadent and the Pip growing up!
As always, Reagan, I love your candidness and the unique voice of you blog. Glad that you, Piper and friends are safe and reunited.
My husband and I were scheduled to arrive in NYC later this week for a quick stay in Lower Manhattan. We have made the decision to reschedule, but it was a tough call. When we visit in the Spring, I would love visit your salon for a new style.
Hurray for little lost toothies!!!
Reagan! I am soooo glad you and your sweet girl (as well as your friends and loved ones) are safe!! I’ve been very concerned–despite never having met you lol. And how the heck is that Pip old enough to be losing a tooth, lol! She’s such a cutie and I bet she is so happy to be back in her mama’s arms!
I’m originally from Jersey (not sure if I mentioned that before) and it breaks my heart to hear about such loss and devastation. I can understand your “survivor guilt” and tho it’s probably useless to say “try not to feel that way” I DO hope you can focus on the moment and take it a step at a time. Your beautiful city WILL heal–and it’s people are resilient. So are you!
Reagan, it is your home now. You are a New Yorkah. It just feels so different when the disaster/emergency is around you, doesn’t it? It can be overwhelming. So great there weren’t any Pip concerns or terrible crises for your many, many friends. ‘Survivor guilt’ is age-old, and in those devasted areas near water many families are probably feeling it. Of course, there’s never any shame in being spared and gratitude can be a powerful motivator for people to help.
Gap-toothed, Pippy! What a universally understood milestone losing your first tooth is. As always, Pippy, hits her milestones on her schedule. Both mine lost their first at her age, too! Love you lots. Jenny
We’re so happy you are all ok there. It is so hard to imagine how all of the people who have been effected by Sandy, are getting around in the city now. Little Piper looks so adorable and you look so happy together! We’re all thinking of you and hoping you get thru this new storm with no more damage.
Yay! You’re here and alive! And OMG, how sweet is it that Piper-J lost a tooth! What a special moment, Mama. I hope the tooth fairy was very good to her.
I’m finding the people that I admire the most are real…and you are one of those people….also could you tell me how you make your pies look soooooo delish!? Mine usually taste good but not in anyway picture worthy. Grateful you and yours are well!
I am so glad that you are okay, my dear. I am so relieved that Piper is doing well, too. Tooth loss looks great on her!