Living With Nuns Perks - Hurricane Sandy

"When you're all alone in the night, 

and you're small and terribly frightened,

it's Sandy, Sandy who will always be there."

- "Sandy", Annie

     I'm pretty sure you've heard of her. She was a raging hurricane, full of emotions that one news station couldn't tie down. We all may be thanking God that she's gone now, but she left a line of destruction for us to never forget that she was here. She's the type that crashes a party like she owns the place, breaks all the boys' hearts, spills her soda all over the kitchen floor, and then leaves before she gets asked to clean it up. Of course, who could forget a party crasher like Sandy? And so, because of her wrath and destruction and damage, we are all going to have a story to tell about Sandy. Here's mine:

     They told me I was crazy for going back to school as Sandy was coming closer. By they, I mean, my Parish family. Yes, I did drive back to school as Sandy's rain started hitting the Northeast. I made it back inside my building right before it started down-pouring. I laughed as I walked to Mass in the rain later that night, but I knew the worst was yet to come. At Mass we had a total of (drumroll please...) 20 people even. It was clear that most students took the "school evacuation" seriously. Those who were left, the remnant, were the risk takers or the ones who would have been going into a more dangerous place if they left. And so, we few had "hunkered down" and prepared for the worst. 

      Thanks to a family party on Friday, there was plenty of food. My roommate essentially stockpiles in bottled water. She's also a cop, so I found her heavy duty "Sergeant Greenwood" flashlight. I had plenty of blankets if the heat shut off and most importantly, I had my "Ducky" umbrella, ready to fight the rain. I was hurricane ready! 

      Monday morning, before the worst of Sandy even hit, I had "waddled" to Mass in what the weather people were calling a squall. What adventure! Of course, "Ducky" didn't do too much other than keep my face dry. So, I squeaked into my pew with the sisters. I had a quick thought that, if we don't have school, why don't they all just wear their PJ's/comfy clothes to Mass. But then I thought of the Carmelites who wear their habits all the time, and never go out. I then understood. However, you could tell it was a "day off" but the lack of blazers and suit jackets, and the abundance of sweaters and sweater vests. It was precious. Some of the sisters were shocked to see me, while others just rolled their eyes knowing that I would be one to stay on campus during a raging hurricane. After Mass, however, is when every single sisters' motherly instincts kicked in. "Are you ready?" "Do you have enough water?" "How about food? Don't walk across campus to the cafe, you'll blow away." and so many other questions and phrases. I reassured my "mothers" that I was ready and even mentioned that I was worried about them, too. I would be more than willing to share a "Hurricane Campout/Party" with them. 

      The truth is, on my side of the building, I live with nine sisters. On my floor alone, there are three lovely ladies! One who is my best friend, one who thinks it's hilarious to scare the daylights out of me by sneaking up on me and one who is almost always persistent about "giving the students a break" every so often. Yep, it's a pretty happening floor. During the hurricane "evacuation" there were only a select few of us left on the floor, including our sister neighbors. In fact, it was eerily quiet. And so, even though I'm not one for liking a lot of noise, I had to turn the TV on because it was "too" quiet. All I could hear was the sound of rain, wind and squalls. As fearless as I am, I actually freaked out occasionally. While part of me wanted the power to go out, I actually was so grateful it didn't. That was until, the noise from the TV News Station stopped. Cable was out. Great. 

     Now let me just put this out there, I NEVER watch TV. Like, if I'm watching TV, it's most likely I'm just listening for noise when my roommate isn't here because it's too quiet. I really had no one to talk to, no one to listen to, nothing. It was actually pretty scary. So, after opening my window to smell the salty air and making dinner for my lone neighbor, I snuggled under my blankets and pretended no hurricane could get me under my blankets. Truth is, I really wanted my little sister here with me snuggling. If I had someone to protect, I could be brave. During the night, I had nightmares of trees falling through my windows and everywhere. By the next morning, however, the calm after the storm had come. That's when the stories started.

      Apparently, our other residence hall lost power really early in the night, around the same time we lost the cable. When I got back to my room after Mass, I had a knock on my door and one of my best friends barged in exclaiming how lucky I was. He asked if I had hot water that morning and I said yes. Apparently, his side of the building had no heat or hot water. I shrugged and offered my room as a hangout for him if he got too cold. By the early afternoon, cabin fever set it really bad and so another one of my best friends, Alice, and I went out to survey the damage to campus and take a walk. We wound up finding tons of branches, one fallen tree and a turkey vulture eating lunch. Ew. It was still misting outside and really cold, but we braved going over to the Motherhouse to check in on our sisters. During the story sharing, I realized, I am one lucky duck. While the rest of the students on campus are either in the dark, wet or cold, I am all the regular luxuries of life. Now don't get me wrong, I offered up my room as a safe haven, but no one took advantage. While we were trying to figure out how my side of the building got so lucky, I realized that this, my dear friends, was a perk of living with nuns. 

       There are many convent living perks but one that I never really delved into was what one sister said to me so long ago. She said, "One thing you can be promised is that God will always take care of you. When you live in the convent, you are taken so well care of." I truly didn't realize this truth til Sandy can blowing at my windows. Now don't get me wrong, I DO NOT live in the convent at school. But rather, the sisters live with us. And so, because they LIVE here, they must be taken care of. I just happened to benefit from that taking care of this week during Sandy's wrath. And so, while I am always grateful for the sisters and I really wish they all knew how much I truly love them, I was especially grateful for them unknowingly sharing their benefits of convent living with me. There truly are living with nuns perks. 

      And so, now that you have my Sandy Story, please, please, please continue to join me in praying for all those affected by Sandy's wrath. I have many friends who were affected greatly by the storm, my roommate is one of them. There was plenty of flooding and destruction, but my biggest fear right now is the amount of time before power is restored to our dear Camilla Hall. Thanks! Be safe in your post-Sandy adventures!