Good Morning

Good morning, everyone. Hope you all had a nice Samhain/Halloween.  Once again no children rang my bell. I'd expected the children who live in the building, but not a one. I guess things really have changed.   Well, at least here in the city they have, and I honestly can't say that I wouldn't keep my children in as well. Thirty years ago when my children were growing up, things were still fairly safe.  I guess my boys were among the last generation here to 'trick or treat' in other but a store. 

Last night was a very emotional time for me.  Since the hurricane, I find myself glued to the television and bursting into tears at the drop of a hat. So much devastation.  So much pain.  My heart goes out to all of those who have lost so much or have lost loved ones to Sandy's wrath.  The sirens can be heard both day and as rescue workers hurry to assist those who have had accidents because of the lack of traffic lights or to fight fires from those burning candles for light. It all makes me realize just how blessed I am. We have food, we have each other, and even today the lights remain out one block from me, yet mine was one of the first to be restored. 

My co-worker moved into his new apartment on Sunday.  He has always rented rooms in someone else's apartment, never had his own. He was so excited, bought everything new right down to the pots and pans. On Monday all was well when suddenly a surge of water gushed in, and he, and the people who were renting from him had to evacuate and go to a motel. His was a basement apartment two blocks from the ocean. When he first told me about the apartment a couple weeks ago, I remember telling him how jealous I was because I'd always wanted to live near the water, but hubby refused to because he felt it got too cold in winter.  My friend has lost everything, including all of his clothes.  The water has receded, but the mud and sand has left the place uninhabitable.  

So, last night I turned out my lights, lit my candles and prayed for those who endured Sandy's wrath. And because in Celtic and Anglo-Saxon times, October 31st  was the eve of the New Year, my prayer was that not only do we rebuild, but we rebuild into a better place and that this tragedy continues to bring us together as a people and help is to see that we have more in common with each other than we have differences.

May I become at all times, both now and forever

A protector for those without protection

A guide for those who have lost their way

A ship for those with oceans to cross

A bridge for those with rivers to cross

A sanctuary for those in danger

A lamp for those without light

A place of refuge for those who lack shelter

And a servant to all in need.

 Tibetan Buddhist prayer

Most of you know that I always say that everything happens for a reason, and I've always had a protector, an Anam Cara who steps in and saves me from harm or from walking into bad situations.  When I woke up yesterday, I went to the MTA website to see what was going on.  I interpreted what I read that all the buses were running.  I then went to Hop Stop to map out a route.  I was all prepared to get ready for work when something told me to go back to the MTA website and read a little deeper, and it was a good thing I did.  It seems that not 'all' buses were running.  Oh, the bus in my neighborhood was running, but it was going to take me to 'nowhere' land and drop me off with nowhere to go.  The express bus I need to get to the city was not running.  Then, I find out that the power is off on the job.  No way can I walk up ten flights of stairs. 

Those who did venture in yesterday said it took hours on cramped, slow moving buses. The government is doing everything it can to stop all this overcrowding by setting up bus lanes and making it mandatory that cars 'must' have three people in them to go over the bridge.  When I heard that an emergency generator kicked in and one of the elevators were working and that some of the subways have limited service, I arose early with all intentions of going in, but after listening to the news which is reporting a 45 minute wait for express buses with traffic jammed even worse than yesterday, and it was only 7 am in the morning, I've changed my mind.  There was a time that nothing would stop me.  I even walked the Brooklyn Bridge during the blackout and transit strike.  But, my body is aging now, my knees, back and hips ache with nothing for relief, and I can no longer do what I once was able to do. Age is definitely catching up to me.