Hurricane Isaias

As if 2020 could not get anymore insane, the aftermath of the storm on Tuesday has left our home without power for 48 hours, and counting. Not only are we without power, but now also without hot water (the only time I will dare take a shower is right after a hot walk outside!) and cell reception. This is Angela, currently reporting to you from a rest area dining table on the New York State Thruway, with my work laptop, phone, and portable chargers plugged in, all vying for juice.

For the past two days, as soon as the sun sets, my family and I now break out all the candles/flashlights/sensored lights we have. I’ve finally gotten the chance to take out my beautiful Diptyque (I’m still saving my limited-edition Rosa Mundi one; can someone tell me where I can purchase more?) candles, of which I couldn’t bear to light up before until now LOL. On the work front, I’ve been checking in with my manager and coworkers for a few hours in the morning while stationed at this rest area. I’m so fortunate that my team is so understanding of everybody’s situations, and has made sure to remind us that our families health and safety always take priority, and work will always be here when we can get back.

We have been strategically planning meals based on what needs to be rescued from the fridge and freezer, and only opening the doors sparingly, counting down “ready? 1, 2, 3.. open!” Yesterday, in order to save as much food from spoil as we could, my parents and I brought up two huge boxes of the Drumstick and Häagen-Dazs ice cream cones from the freezer in the basement. We tried to unwrap and eat as many as we could as we all stumbled over in laughter (or stomach pain?). We ended up having to toss most of them, but we gave it a good shot. It was a scene from one of my dad’s biggest dreams. Suffice to say, I will not be eating ice cream for a very long time.

I have to say, I have been sleeping at a reasonable time for once (not like I have a choice) and getting (almost uninterrupted) 8 hours of sleep for the past two days. The natural melatonin kicks in when it starts getting dark, I start getting sleepy around 8 or 9, and I think it’s the best sleep I’ve gotten in a long time LOL. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

If this year has taught me anything, it’s that there are so many things in our lives that we have taken for granted: electricity, hot water, the Internet, or even being out in public places with our friends and family without any kind of fear. As we respond by simplifying what we need or what we do, we can either choose to feel restricted or to feel free. I’m not sure if “normal” will be back on the horizon, but I will be trying to take each day in stride. I thank God that I have my family and our health, Tim, our community, this glorious rest area, and Jesus. :)