Editor’s note: Morristown resident Berit Ollestad, who organized a summer relief effort for Alabama tornado victims, wrote this reflection on Irene last week.
Dear Power God,
I woke up cautiously excited that you might have paid my residence a visit during the night.
I awoke to no flashing LED lights, no beeping sounds indicating alarms and timers needing to be re-set.
I woke up to complete silence and a complete calmness surrounding me. I’d like to say that I’m disappointed that you didn’t pay me a visit, but that would be a lie.
No longer have I had to drag my kids to bed kicking and screaming these last couple of nights because they want to “watch just ONE more cartoon before bedtime!”
When darkness falls and we are no longer able to see the words on the Disney books, the kids declare “they are tired and want to go to sleep.”
When morning arrives, no longer are the kids up at the crack of dawn to be front and center for the first episode of The Micky Mouse Clubhouse. The fighting has seemed to decrease as well, since it no longer matters who gets to watch their favorite show on TV.
Speaking of TV, I actually have been able to have meaningful conversations with my husband. I no longer have been relegated to spewing out all of the day’s happenings in 90 seconds or less during the commercial breaks.
My kids have (re)discovered the toys of yesteryear such as Play-Doh, Legos and puzzles to name a few.
Cooking has gotten surprisingly easier; there is only so much you can do on a Coleman camp stove. As for laundry; what laundry? It is surprising how simple it is to stay connected without a TV or radio (since the batteries in the radio died yesterday).
All I have to do is look in any given direction and for as far as the eye can see, there is light throughout my neighborhood (my street being the exception).
I have many kind neighbors who are willing to let me charge my gadgets at their place. There really haven’t been to many ways that you have inconvenienced me yet. Although, I do have to wonder if today is the day that my hot water is a thing of the past, much like my power has been these last few days.
What I have been reminded of these last couple of days is to be grateful and thankful that the only thing that Irene temporarily took from me was my lights.
As I read the comments in our local online news sources, I’m left to wonder: Have we really gotten to a place that we chastise the very people (JCP&L) who are working tirelessly to restore our power so that we may watch our favorite TV show or make ourselves a morning cup of coffee?
I for one want to thank the town and all the people who kept me and my family safe during and after the storm. I also want to thank Irene for the (not so) gentle reminder of what really is important in life: The well being of friends and family, shelter, clean drinking water and food.
And while I appreciate you reminding me of all of these things, I won’t need any reminders anytime soon. I promise not to forget!
Berit Ollestad
A Grateful Morristown Resident
READ MORE ABOUT TROPICAL STORM IRENE
