Weathering the Storm

Having just finished uploading the past two months of photos I am conflicted.  Caught in the before of the sunny orchard and harvest pumpkins and the after of the ravaged coastline and all that was swept away. As the holiday swirl has reached full tilt I find myself torn between letting myself surrender to the celebration of the season and the reality of the recovery that surrounds us.  Lila’s school sits about fifty yards from the Hudson River- after 25 years Pallisades Child Care moved to a beautiful new location- five weeks before Sandy made landfall.  Unfortunately the still shiny school took on almost three feet of water and was closed for a month. It was heartbreaking to see the damage- and a parking lot full of storm-ravaged toys and child-sized furniture which barely had time to be broken-in.  Patty, our school director came within inches of losing her entire home when the Hackensack River crested on the steps of her front porch and rescue boats docked at her door.  Of course this story is one of many, my dear friend Elizabeth’s family home of five decades in Rockaway will most likely never be lived in again, the stories go on and so we count our blessings.

The lens through which I view what I pray will be the storm of our lifetime is of course filtered by Lila.  We left that morning after the storm – uncertain as to when our power and heat would be back- decisions made differently because of her- signs had been put up on the roads blaring “GO HOME”  - it was a surreal ride up to Connecticut – but a parental exhale to arrive at friends and comfort.  Lila understands that a storm came and that her school had to be fixed.  Routine went out the window but we certainly made some great memories cobbling together a patchwork quilt of working from home and the rescue of Grandma and Grauntie Laurie.  We even managed to squeeze in Halloween and though the doors passing out candy were sparse daddy and our little rocker made a spirited game of searching out the doors with “trick or treat” signs. 

We are grateful that the family weekend planned for months- was not thwarted by Sandy and we found out what a nimble group we are- even with a baby, toddler and “tween.”  The holidays will be different this year and if it weren’t for Lila I would probably be trying to convince Greg that we should cancel Christmas, donate and volunteer.  But of course we do have Lila so we will continue to support the recovery while remembering how much we have to celebrate.  Sandy took so much- and while we still have yet to realize the full toll, the communal resilience and stories of the everyday heroes fuel the collective spirit of recovery. Lila’s school re-opened last week to a rousing dance party drop-off reception led by Guitar Bob.  I have always been a proud of how this vulnerable but mighty city rebounds.   Lila may be too young to remember Sandy but I know she will be stronger for weathering this storm.

 

What’s New:  “Lila, who is our President?”  Lila, “Rock o Ma Ma Ma.”  We took advantage of the storm sabbatical to work on potty training- we are getting there!  Lila is a motor mouth and performs regular soliloquies- we are not always sure what language she is speaking.  She follows good hygiene and puts her sock “gloves” on her hands prior to changing her babies.  Lila and Daddy toss the pigskin around and Lila shows promise- with a decent arm for a two year old – Sunday afternoons include Lila assuming the 3-point stance then running to the front door and yelling “touchdown!” 

At 2 years and 4+ months Lila is 34.5” tall and 26 pounds.