After the Storm -- Let There Be Light or Bring Your own Flashlight

I am eternally grateful to the powers that be, which allowed my home to remain totally intact, despite the wrath of Sandy. My prayers go out to all my friends and clients who did not fare so well. I am trying to be patient throughout these days of no electricity. Sweeping the floors and washing dishes by hand has me feeling like Donna Reed. Of course, I am not running around the house doing this while wearing high heels, an apron, and beautifully coiffed hair. No, I am donned in a sweatshirt, jeans, and slippers, trying to stay warm, in a house without heat. I am a person who usually works long hours -- fourteen or more a day. The storm momentarily halted this, and I am trying to make use of the down time. Walking down the storm wreck streets of East Patchogue and watching all my neighbors working so hard to clean up their yards, and all the LIPA workers and National Grid workers, and men in trees trying to free up downed wires and clear the streets, fills me with a sense of pride and awe at the resilience and tenacity of Long Islanders. All of my life, I have both loved and feared the waters that surround us. Long islanders are water people and seem to love the sea unconditionally. As we rebuild our homes, lives, and spirit, we must look forward to summer fun ahead, and remember summer fun of the past. As I sit here in McDonald's, East Patchogue, grateful for the ability to watch News 12, charge my iPad and iPhone, enjoy a Southwest salad, a hot cup of coffee and the warmth of heat that is working, I am sending you this message of hope and faith, that this too shall pass. We will, collectively, get through this. The psychic party I am scheduled to do this Friday night will go on, despite no electricity. I told the hostess to tell everyone to B.Y.O.F. That means, the psychic party is still on -- just bring your own flashlight.