They say there is beauty in every situation and one only has to look for it. Diana and I decided to consciously go out and take some pictures of that beauty. The pain and stress of the situation were just as real though.
We received many, many graces through such a hard time. Our generator wasn't working properly and Rich was able to fix it just as the temperature dropped to below 0 degrees with the wind chill factor on our lake. I was amazed at how during the darkest part there were comforting things that happened. I had my husband to watch over and protect us. Diana came flying in safe and sound. At night when we had no electricity - there was moonlight and so it wasn't pitch black. The quiet beauty was amazing. Our candles were scented ones so when it was dark it was filled with beautiful smells. Once our generator was working cell phones were able to be charged and I made hot soup in the crockpot, and even made Christmas presents.
I think what stressed people out the most were the setbacks in time, money and work, and not having the resources to cope with it. We were entering the busy season and everything just came to a dead stop. We could not shop, talk, take care of any business. The extra cost that was incurred at this time when the economy is on shakey ground. People lost food, paid for generators to survive - our neighbors drove to Rhode Island just to buy one. The additional problem was then to find gas because all the gas pumps need electricity to work. I know Rich drove awhile to find one open and Matthew waited in line for two hours to buy gas for the generator. These are just a few of our many opportunities to ?????
Our dog Rocky was sprayed by a skunk and oh how we missed hot water to bathe him in. Ughhhhhh........He was so good about staying by the door though.
It really was an awakening as to how prepared we were in some areas very ill prepared in others. We normally enjoy so many comforts on a regular basis. I was boiling water to wash my hair and do dishes. We gathered firewood from around our yard for our woodstove. We worried and kept watch that our pipes wouldn't freeze and the saddest of all was that our aquarium fish died the first night when we didn't have any electricity. The worst part was being so isolated from everyone that was going through the same thing.
Merry Christmas everyone! I won't be sending cards out.....
I went to buy Christmas Cards and other things and the shelves were empty!!!!!
