Sandy hit and our world was turned upside-down. Everything we knew was taken away within a swift 24 hours. Ocean Grove’s beaches had bits and pieces of debris from Seaside and further south. New Jersey’s boardwalk lifeline was now a stew floating at sea. It’s amazing how massive this storm was and how unprepared we were.
New Jerseyans alike are hardy people with an attitude to match their brazen disposition…but we definitely took one on the chin this time.
I lived for nights out on the Asbury boardwalk…and the avenues westward toward Main Street (or 71). (Lived and breathed for that area). But after the storm surge hit, I was no longer allowed. Suddenly, even locals were whistled off the boardwalk. Didn’t matter where you were from, who you knew or anything. The boardwalk was compromised from far north Asbury all the way to Cape May. I still see the pictures and the brave YouTube videos and it breaks my heart. Heartbroken.
Fast forward to today, January 31, 2013. My fiancé and I live down in St. Petersburg. We didn’t flee the scene, so to speak…I found a great opportunity down in Tampa (moved down here on December 3rd). Sandy DID derail my writing and a lot has happened since the last time I touched base with my dedicated audience. On the positive side, the weather is a nice, 75 degree average and I know folks are freezing up north (sorry mom). (Believe me…31 years of my life I’ve lived and breathed the four seasons and know there’s nothing like it).
I do miss it. The grit of the Jersey sand (and frequenters) is like nothing else around. There’s a certain smell and overall feeling to the Jersey Shore. If you’ve visited here, you’ve felt it. If you’ve lived there, nothing, not even a major storm (Sandy) can take that feeling away from you. I love New Jersey. I am from New Jersey.
That recent show at the Garden showed the resiliency of our brothers and sisters. We will rebuild…never was a doubt in my mind.
Flying south does not mean my entire heart has come with me. I am still enamored with New Jersey and will always remember what “Real Shore” was like (preceding Sandy). It will always be a part of who I am. never been prouder of my northern brothers and sisters. Keep it up!
##Hash-tag…living in St. Petersburg but missing the hell out of New Jersey!!!!##
Artist formally known as “Asbury Park Examiner”…stay-tuned.
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