Irene

A week ago, we had no idea what Hurricane Irene would bring.  All of my family and friends are safe and accounted for and that is all that matters....but the destruction...it's unbelievable.  The pictures are horrifying, but they don't do it justice.  Our area was very hard hit, along with so many other Vermont towns.  In our area whole houses washed away, covered bridges sucked into raging torrents like they were made of matchsticks, water rose into the first floor of houses (never mind basements), destroying everything they owned.  Fields upon fields of crops were lost...along with those families incomes for the year.  People without power and stranded still, six days later.

As a general rule, I try to stay off Facebook as much as I can, but the past few days I've been hooked...checking in on friends, seeing the damage they have to endure, and reading pleas for help..."Trying to find clothes for such and such a family.  They lost everything"......"Need a few strong hands from anyone willing"...and there are so many willing.

I have been brought to tears so many times over the last few days, out of sadness for the lives it impacted, out of sadness of favorite spots lost or changed forever, but also out of complete pride and gratitude for the people that make up our great state.  Neighbors helping neighbors.  Strangers helping strangers.  The work crews have been working tirelessly on power lines and washed out roads, getting things in a workable state (until they can be permanently repaired) at record speed.  It all overwhelms me in the most wonderful way possible.  Irene didn't know who she was messing with.