How to help with Hurricane Sandy {and not sweating the small stuff}

I am safe after the hurricane here in New York.

Others aren’t.

I learned a few things recently about home and belongings. I’ve been frustrated that I sold my current condo, yet haven’t yet found a new place. I am still in my “about to be sold” place because the buyer’s bank is taking forever, which has turned into a good thing for a few more weeks. At the end of the day, it’s all okay. I have places to go until I find a new home: friends who’ve opened their doors here in New York (Thank you, Laurie) and family in Boston where I know I can go anytime. (Thanks Mom, Dad, Jill and everyone else.) I am even invited to Dubai. (Thank you, Nasrin.)

I’ve been wondering when I’ll find a place that’s suitable. Real estate in NYC can be crazy. There was a place I loved but I got outbid. Yes, bidding wars are back apparently, but at this point none of this matters much.

I went over to Breezy Point in Queens the other day.

Wow.

The magnitude of damage and heartache is overpowering. The entire contents of people’s homes were out on the street: refrigerators, washing machines, bikes, toys, cards, books, CDs, beds, bureaus, Halloween and Christmas decorations, walls and floors.

Other people in Breezy and elsewhere didn’t lose homes but have no electricity and live in areas where the electricity at the supermarkets is also out, meaning no food. Others lost their homes to water damage.

Others fared much, much worse. Their entire homes were burnt to the ground.

The devastation, as I’m sure you’ve seen in the media, is unbelievable. The force of water and wind can transform your life in 30 seconds (which is, what I heard, how long it took for water to envelop homes). But you know what I saw as I walked around an area that was devastated by water and fire? I saw people smiling. One guy even said to me, “I’m alive. That’s what matters.” Another guy was with his friend and they spray painted his last name on the foundation of the now burnt down house where he grew up. “My mother found her engagement ring in the rubble,” he told me. “She was so happy she found it.” I’m certain that others aren’t exactly smiling, but it felt hopeful to see glimpses of happiness in people’s eyes as I stood on the black ash of what once were homes.

All that’s left of someone’s home.

Needless to say, I am grateful. I might still be in limbo, but for the moment I have heat, hot water and a stocked refrigerator. I have a healthy daughter who was brave during the hurricane. I have loving friends and family to be there until I find a new place. So I am grateful. I didn’t lose anything. In fact I gained something: a new perspective, one I had already, but this time around it was solidified in me. That box of cookbooks I’d collected that got ruined in a rainstorm. My favorite vase that broke? Who really cares? I am not sweating the small stuff anymore.

I’d like to leave you with these three things.

1.) Don’t sweat the small stuff. There are people who lost their homes and all their belongings. Even my acupuncturist sent an email about how he started enjoying running up and down the 21 flights to his apartment in a building that lost electricity. He regarded it as a Stair Master.

2.) Lower Manhattan has a ton of wonderful restaurants that are hurting for business. If you’re in NYC, skip cooking dinner one night and go out to eat downtown. Many small businesses, including restaurants, lost money due to the hurricane and they’d love to see you. Here is a list of restaurants from The Village Voice.

3.) Many people have found ways to help, but if you still need an idea, here are some ways:

Time Out compiled a great list
Huffington Post has a list of where to donate blood
Get involved with the Food Bank of NYC
Relocated senior citizens need your help in this soup kitchen
FDNY Incidents often posts ways to help on Facebook

What are you grateful for? Let me know in the comments below.

20 Comments
  1. I normally don’t eat out but you gave me a great reason to eat out. And yea, I wholeheartedly agree with you about #1. 

    Sandy was definitely a humbling experience. 

  2. Never in my life did I think I’d see something like this hit the Northeast coast. So, far everyone I know in the area got through the storm unscathed. I’m saying prayers and sending love and will check your links on how to help. 

  3. Tracey, you condensed compassion into two sentences:  I am safe… others aren’t.  Your heartfelt appeal (and subsequent perspectives) are sure to raise funds, meals, and whatever other help is needed for the survivors of Sandy.  Thank you.    

  4. Tracey.. beautiful post and it’s true that perspective (and gratitude) are everything. Glad to know you are safe and sound.. and I know that many of us.. even those who were not impacted by the storm by some miracle.. know that in just minutes, life changes. Right now the world keeps reminding us of that.. and to stay in present time, and to stay focused on every small blessing.
    I am grateful for the small and the big..heat and hot water and the health of my family..my freedom to vote and be reminded of how incredibly free we are, for work that i love and all of the freedom that self-employment brings.. For the peace in this moment of writing by a fire with my sleeping dogs nearby and quiet in the house.
    If you come to Boston let’s have lunch..
    Love and blessings,
    Lisa

  5. Thank you Tracey for your personal look at the aftermath of the storm. I am so grateful you and your daughter are safe and sound and so many other of my online business friends. I still have not heard from one of my clients who lives on Long Island and I’m hoping that she’s o.k. and just without power. 

  6. I think it’s so great how we as a nation are coming together to help those out from Storm Sandy & Nightmare N’oreaster.  I have made a personal donation to the Red Cross and next week am hosting a Smoke Free Hypnosis Clinic on Nov 15th, The Great American Smoke Out date and donating all proceeds to these worthy causes.  Glad to hear you are safe and sound. ♥

  7. Glad that you and your daughter are save. Here in the UK we’ve watched with horror what’s happening in the areas affected by storm and I only can imagine how devastating it can be.
    I’m grateful for a place that I can call home and I’m grateful to my children whose support allows me to pursue my dream of having my own business.
    I’m grateful to feel support from many people wherever I go, feel really blessed.

  8. Agreed, things can and often do, change in 30 seconds. I believe there are great changes in the air these days, and it behooves all of us to be “there” for each other. I am grateful for the energy of community that arises during difficult times, and for people like you Tracey who point out tangible ways in which to help!

  9. I’m very happy that you are safe and well after this ordeal. My prayers, love and light go out to those who have lost so much and are so frightened.

    Life can change in the matter of a heartbeat. It’s important to support those who are hurting, and it’s important to learn from them too. With that we honor their pain.

    Love ‘I’m alive. That’s what matters.’ Thank you for reminding us to not sweat the small stuff.

  10. I’m so happy that you’re safe, Tracey, along with your daughter! I saw (though not firsthand…not until about 6 months afterwards) devastation on that scale when the F5 tornado hit Joplin, MO last year, and that was AWFUL. My heart breaks looking at the Sandy photos because it reminds me of that. Thanks for the reminder to keep things in perspective. 

  11. Such a tragic loss for so many people. Thank you for writing such a heartfelt description of this disaster filled with love and hope. And perspective. Glad you’re safe and thank you for calling me in the midst of all that just to “check in.” xxxooo

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