Back at Work

So the last few weeks have been challenging. I think the most difficult part is that really I haven't lost anything while so many have lost everything. The struggle came for me in the balance. At work we lost some, enough for a weeks worth of cleanup, but honestly nothing in comparison to so many. But being in that space that was so new clean and fresh just two weeks ago that is now showing the effects of water damage, sorting through gifts that people all over the country have made for us to give and at first not knowing if we could save it (we did) made my mood dim and and my outlook gloomy.

Yesterday helped to make my world a little more normal. Everyday for the past 13 months I go on ships and serve seafarers, it is something that I truly love and enjoy. The last day before yesterday that I was able to visit ships was Friday October 26. With all that has gone on in the two weeks since Superstorm Sandy's arrival it was a great relief to be going back to my new normal. It made the recovery efforts feel all the more real that I was able to board ships and in limited abilities help seafarers. I know that my efforts were needed back at the center and I was more than happy to do all the crazy tedious projects back at the center during the cleanup but climbing my first gangway really brightened my mood. The amazing thing is that the crews are more concerned about us than I can even express. And for the most part, completely understanding when we tell them I am sorry I can't do this right now, or no I cannot take you off your ship. For some this may be the only time in months they have the opportunity to stretch their legs on solid ground, and trust me it is one of the hardest things to say, but when they return with a smile and say it is ok how are you Ma'am, it means the world. It shows you how resilient these guys are and it is really astounding, they offer to help in so many ways that it is amazing.  I think that yesterday and today being able to give out Christmas At Sea and sell phone cards really helped me to put it all into perspective because after spending a week sifting through the first floor and trying to preserve what we could it really was amazing  to be able to help others again. I know that really all of my problems are first world and that people have it was worse off than I do right now and getting back to ship visiting has allowed me to put that all back in perspective. The restorations at work have began and although we are working without phones and internet  and down vehicles we are going about our mission and serving, and it is great for me to be back into the swing.

Jania