Have yourself a Merry Little Halloween but remember to Give Thanks!

At 5:00 p.m. Monday we saw the transformers sparking just before the lights went out.  We had been prepared to hit the road and go to my folks apartment in the Bronx: but I heard that wind, and I had seen pictures of the tidal surge well before high tide.....  My husband and I told the kids we are staying HERE together.  And so we did, sleeping in one room with our Halloween LED candles flickering.  

So, when I woke up on Tuesday morning and the sun came up, I first had to adjust my ears past my husband's snoring to determine YES, that explosive, rushing, express-train-passing-through cacophony of wind had finally quieted down......Then, I was grateful.  Then, when I saw my children still sleeping undisturbed, the dogs hunkered down guarding their beds -- I felt relieved. I walked outside to see the damage.  Well, the sandbags and tarps had held, the creek had kept to its banks, and the tree damage --well, the trees were damaged but they had only damaged other trees...no wires, no, buildings, no cars, no people. ......well, then  I felt happy, thankful and blessed 

So here's my suggestion: I know we want our power back/our schools open/our commuter rails operating/and our kids trick-or-treating.  BUT WHENEVER IT IS THAT your town or village decides it's safe to celebrate Halloween -- for me it's Irvington on Friday Night at the firehouse -- let's go in costumes and have lots of fun -- and DON'T FORGET TO GIVE THANKS to the people you see who helped and kept you safe.  Thank the local government officials, our mayors, our police chiefs, our DPW and Recreation Department workers, our police, our EMTs, our first responders, our local people -- paid and volunteer-- who risked their own comfort and safety to keep our communities safe.  All of these people have been out on our streets clearing storm drains, clearing leaves, removing tree limbs, guarding live wires, responding to alarms, treating injuries, keeping idiots from surfing off of our sea walls, and politely answering questions for the past 96 hours and will continue to do so.  They were not sleeping with their partners, kids and dogs like I got to do.

And finally, while you're at it, remember to give a big hug and a smile and a thank you to your neighbors.  I know you checked in to make sure they were safe and they did the same for you.  I know that if you had power and warmth, you invited in your neighbors to share it.  And I know they did the same for you.  That's why we love the Rivertowns. 

Happy Halloween!