Making the Most of a Bad Situation

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Delaware, or my area of it, at least, was spared the wrath of Hurricane Sandy.  Mother Nature took a last-minute deep breath and blew Sandy just slightly north and south of us, whalloping the coasts of Maryland to the south and New Jersey to the north.  The Delaware coast got its share of damage but nothing like the previously mentioned places, and we're used to flooding and to high winds from nearby hurricanes.

It's scary, though, to see such damage so close to home.  I also used to live in NJ (as a kid) and NYC (as a college student) and saw familiar places and people affected by the damage.

Staten Island (and many other parts of NYC) got hit really hard, not only by flood and wind but also by resulting fires.  Some people lost everything.  My heart goes out to them.

I don't have a lot of money right now so it's hard to hear the calls from the Red Cross and other organizations asking for financial help.  I did find, though, ways to help which actually helped ME as well:  Some friends and local citizens have organized trips up to NY with loads of most-needed supplies like dry clothes and outerwear, blankets, toiletries, easily prepped food.  LOTS of things I had too much of.

Yes, some of the food we could have/would have eaten, but I'd rather they have it.  Sure, we'll need to buy new toothbrushes and toothpaste soon, but it will be there for us.  I could sell some of the clothes.  And we DEFINITELY did not need the amount of coats, jeans, hats, sweaters, scarves that we had (a mind-blowing quantity.)  I'm so happy that not only is this stuff out of my house, but it is going to people who really need it.