Lucky.

I’m so thankful right now.

Thankful for my friend Shannon for watching Bailey while I was away this weekend and for then taking us back in when my power, water and gas went out on Monday night.

Thankful my apartment is okay.

Thankful my parents are safe and sound.

Shannon and I hunkered down with our dogs on Monday night to watch the surreal coverage of the storm. There’s no other way to describe it but surreal. We haven’t turned off NBC News since Monday. I don’t want to watch any more of this coverage of the devastation, but I can’t pull myself away either. My heart is breaking for everyone affected by this storm, and there are so many people affected.

I often talk shit about New Jersey, where I grew up, but my heart breaks for my home state this week.

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For Margate, and my friend Jen’s family.

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For Hoboken, where so many of my high school friends live.

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My heart also breaks for the Rockaways.

My heart breaks for a few bloggers I know who have lost their homes in this devastating storm.

I grabbed a drink with Laura last night, and we talked about this weekend’s NYC Marathon. I feel for everyone who’s been training for it for months, but I can’t help but think that the city resources needed to put on the race would be better used for recovery. I said last night that perhaps the income that the race would bring in would be good for the city, but as I watch more coverage, I completely rescind that opinion. I love running, I loved the NYC Marathon, but there’s more important things right now than this (wonderful) race.

Speaking of marathons, I can’t believe I ran one just three days ago. That seems like it was an entire lifetime ago.

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Yesterday Shannon and I were getting a bit stir-crazy and went for a long walk up to the Upper West Side and back, and it certainly loosened up my legs. It was nice to see the city slowly coming back to life.

This post is a bit all over the place, but I’m safe and doing well, although my city and my home state weren’t quite as lucky. If you’re safe, consider yourself very lucky right now. I do.

17 comments on “Lucky.

  1. Sarah Fit

    I’m glad are OK! 🙁 I can’t believe the images I’ve seen on TV. So crazy. We were blessed with little damage in the city. What do you think is going to happen with the Marathon?? Do you think it should still go on?

    Reply
    1. Theodora Post author

      @Sarah Fit: As much as I love the marathon and feel for everyone who’s been training for months, I think city resources would be better spent now on recovery. However, I think it probably will still go on, although I wonder if they will change the course.

      Reply
  2. Tess @ Cross Country Cajun

    I am so glad that you and your family are ok. I have lived through several hurricanes in South Louisiana – my prayers are with everyone affected. I totally agree with your thoughts on the city’s resources working on recovery efforts instead of marathon prep. I had to defer my entry into NYCM because of an illness but had I been healthy; it would have been hard to run the marathon knowing all the other needs the city has. I think it’s always hard for people who have never been through hurricanes to understand the drastic toll they put cities and their residents through. Praying for ya’ll!

    Reply
  3. Sam @ The Second Lunch

    I too, feel lucky. Thankful that my friends and family are safe, and heartbroken for all those who are suffering, who have a long, long road to go before things get better.

    My hope is that the marathon will bring added hands for support, that runners and families will think not just of the race, but what they can do to help – volunteer, donate blood, time, etc. (A lot of shops and restaurants rely on this event for a huge $ boost – if they can reopen in time to pay their staff and make some sales, this could be the difference in whether their business can stay open or not.)

    Reply
  4. Life's a Bowl

    My thoughts and warm wishes are with everyone affected by Sandy. We definitely lucked out down here in DC. I have been watching NBC since Sunday and like you don’t want to watch any more but can’t pull myself away. I’m so thankful that my family and friends up there either evacuated or are safe, just without power. It’s unbelievable…

    Reply
  5. Meghan

    NJ is my home state too, and I can’t get over the devastation.My own family is okay but without power and has some property damage. I decided not to run the NYC Marathon. The logistics of getting in and out of the city from NJ, staying in a house without heat and water were both contributing factors, but mostly I didn’t feel good about celebrating when so many people will still be hurting.
    Looking forward to planning a winter visit to NYC to do some economy boosting!

    Reply
  6. Laura @ Joyful Shimmy

    I am glad that you, Bailey and your family are ok.

    I feel lucky too as I live in Jersey City by the watefront and we were completely spared by the storm surge. I have to admit as i watch the news and see the damage it just feels surreal. I am grateful that we have power back on my nook of town but I can’t believe than less than a mile away from where I live is underwater.

    I have similar mixed feelings about the Marathon. I was looking forward spectating but the reality is that I am not even sure if I can get into the city during the weekend. Just looking at the damage in Staten Island it just breaks my heart.

    By the way congratulations on running the MCM! Awesome

    Reply
  7. Steph

    I know what you mean about the marathon. Here in New Zealand we’ve had lots of coverage of Sandy, and hearing on the news this morning that efforts are still being made to hold the event as planned, I wondered how New Yorkers generally feel about that.

    Thinking of you all as you recover and go into election day – hopefully turn-out isn’t affected too badly.

    Reply
  8. Gabby @ Marathons and Macarons

    I’m so thankful too. I went to my parents’ place in Soho to wait out the storm so I wouldn’t be uptown alone with no subways, but that of course meant we spent Monday night in the blackout, with no hot water or cell service. Now the roles are reversed and they’re staying with me in my studio on the UWS until the power goes back on downtown. We’re so lucky to have a place to go, and to not have been in an area with flooding. Glad you stayed safe!

    Reply
  9. Mollie @Sprinkles of Life

    i have been thinking of you and wondering what’s been going on. I’m far from the East Coast here in Iowa but have been watching all the news coverage. It’s just fascinating and unbelievable but so sad at the same time. Glad to hear you are ok!

    Reply

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