Thursday, November 29, 2012

In The Details

Sunday morning I took a big thermos of coffee and some doughnuts over to the marina. I knew some of the "old guys" would be there; it was sunny and they've been hanging out there talking about their homes and boats and all that's been lost or saved in the aftermath of Sandy.

For the first time since the storm I took my camera with me.


the gulls watch over the scene
there used to be a building attached to that ramp

boats have been pushed up onto the front lawns of private homes that were once separated from the marina by a fence

I've been told that some of these restaurant chairs have been found across town


I stopped at what is left of a favorite restaurant.




That bit of fence you see standing is all there is of the railway that led to the terrace dining area.

The owner of this restaurant has been travelling around town in a bus handing out food and supplies.

She is an exceptional person.
Star-Ledger made a video that can be Viewed Here


This house has been seen on just about every news broadcast and in every newspaper.
It amazes everyone that half of it is still standing.
The owner says she intends to re-build it.
She calls it her "Tara"


it is details like these shirts that make the photos real to me

It took me from Sunday to today to take these shots off the camera and decide to share them. It felt ghoulish and depressing. I feel a deep sense of loss over the destruction of so many of the places I love yet I am so grateful that my home is OK.

When I went to the firehouse to drop off some supplies a woman told me she felt "survivor's guilt".

Someone else said that if you drive just two miles it is as if nothing happened and that feels surreal. He's right.

I promise you a happier post soon. I felt the need to share with you all how I'm feeling and what I'm seeing.

And on we go ...

24 comments:

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I've seen a lot of pictures of the aftermath of 'Sandy'...but yours hit home more than almost anything I've seen.....The damage and devistation is truly shocking and it's not something that will go away tomorrow, so you can't get away from being reminded---everywhere----what has happened. It is understandable how and what you are feelimg, my dear Dianne, and I so appreciate you sharing it with me and all of us.
Frightening what havoc these storms can produce...!
(((((((HUGS))))))) to you and HOPE.

jaycoles@gmail.com said...

Well, now I am in tears, I watched the video and they just started to flow. I am so thankful that you and your family are OK but I look at your pictures and can't imagine going through what you all are going through and then I think of winter coming on. I worry. Thank you for sharing it. It looks like a war zone and the enemy is nature. When will we realize that our actions are what has caused this? "Hugs are free." Give her one from me. She reminds me that the world is full of wonderful, caring people..as do you. Hugs, jay

Ron said...

Dianne, I'm grateful that you shared this post because it was actually uplifting and touching to see how people come together in times of challenge and support one another.

AMAZING video clip. It brought tears to my eyes to see how this woman took her own challenges and used them to reach out and help others.

What beautiful soul she is.

Thank you for sharing this post, dear lady!

(((((( You )))))

Much X to you and the gang!

Sylvia K said...

It is still horrifying and so incredibly heartbreaking to see how much damage there is -- still and knowing how much so many have lost, some forever!! My heart goes out to all of you!! Hugs to Hope and to you!

Akelamalu said...

Oh it's all so sad. :(

Lowell said...

Thank you for these! I'm sure it was difficult for you to see such destruction of old, familiar places. But I'm glad you were spared. Best wishes!

Reb said...

It is truly amazing what damage mother nature can inflict. I am glad that you survived with so little damage.

I'm With Stupid said...

It's gonna take so long to recover. Not just the clean up and rebuilding, but the emotional recovery takes time too.

Jay

DJan said...

I haven't even watched the video yet, but your pictures have made me cry. I will watch it once I finish here.

Mike said...

Some things will never get rebuilt. I just hope for everyones sake the destroyed stuff gets torn down and hauled away. The longer it gets left in place, the more likely it is nothing will ever be done about it.

Ivanhoe said...

It's good to get real. Then move on. I'm in the process of my own "funk" and moving on myself. Had to seek professional help. But I believe it will all get better. For all of us.
Big hugs from Ohio,
I.

Kay L. Davies said...

You're right about the photo with the t-shirts. Small details really bring horror into the realm of reality.
I'm so glad you and Hope are safe, but I can feel for the people who suffered from the devastation.
K

Jeff B said...

Survivor's guilt is a interesting phenomenon for sure.

So glad your home was spared. Be well.

HermanTurnip said...

I've seen my fair share of pictures of the destruction, but yours really hammers the chaos home. I can't help but feel terrible for all of the people affected. Being on the west coast, far removed from the east coast, I'm finding it difficult to comprehend what's happened over there. Can't thank you enough for posting these pictures. My heart continues to go out to everyone out there!

Linda Reeder said...

It is so much more meaningful to me when I know the person who has taken the photos and I get to know something of her feelings about this devastation. Thank you.

Hilary said...

Oh my.. that woman and her people are angels. Such devastation .. such heartbreak. I ache for these folks but feel so grateful that it was not like this for you.

Jeni said...

Anyone looking at these pictures, reading your words and who doesn't come away having been affected either in a large way or just a little, needs to make some adjustments and realize how, in the blink of an eye, things like this could happen to any of us! It's very heartening too though to read your words and that people have and are continuing to come together and pull for each other for the strength to survive this storm and many others that life often seems bound and determined to bring our way. Peace, Dianne and still giving thanks that your home came through this unscathed.

Granny Annie said...

The havoc created by natural disasters is so hard to comprehend but your photos have sure brought it closest. Unbelievable. Thank you for sharing.

Rambling Woods said...

It didn't take much to make me cry..Uh..I need to get my kick-ass going. I wanted to let you know that I was having a problem, had a mammogram and now need biopsies in 2 places in one breast..I mean really.. give me a break....

Reena said...

Such destruction ... but people have been so kind and helpful.

Ellen Whyte said...

Wow, it's amazing what air and rain can do. I hope the rebuilding goes well - and that this was truly a "once in a lifetime" thing.

EG CameraGirl said...

How terrible! It's one thing tp see it on the news but another to see the devastation through the lens of your camera. It seems so mush more personal.

Daryl said...

thats how i feel .. guilty for making it through with nothing worse than an empty fridge to show ... hugs to you

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I'm reading this very late (catching up with my Google Reader after being away a couple of weeks). I'm so glad I didn't skip over this post. It really does make me realize what it is like for you guys up there, more than almost anything I've seen or read. So strange the way the destruction is hit and miss like that and I can imagine how hard it would be even for hose "missed"...

I am sure this was hard for you to post, but I am so glad you did.