03/25/2025
Seven Thoughts About Our Damn Near Seven Days Without Power
1. For anyone who said that the power outage was a wonderful time to slow down and relax, they were obviously one of the lucky few who only had their power out for 4-6 hours. Most of us weren’t so lucky. Slowing down during a power outage is a misnomer. In fact, my mind wasn’t slowing, it was ramping up to warp speed.
2. I have three kids who eat A LOT and therefore had to p**p A LOT and who also (somehow) dirtied every article of clothing they had, all seemingly on the first day without power. Now, when you are trying to figure out your next meal, designating a p**p toilet and drowning in a heap of laundry, there is no such thing as slowing down. It is full speed ahead to high anxiety with a side of panic.
3. Simultaneous yet conflicting feelings are real. I feel so incredibly grateful for the linemen and the amazing efforts made to restore power AND I also feel incredibly entitled to a self indulgent pity party.
4. I’m not a survivalist. I don’t yearn to live off the grid. I give myself a D for basic survival skills and quite honestly, that grade is generous.
5. I’ve realized, it could have been better, but it certainly could have been worse. Don’t get me wrong, it got chilly, but thankfully, we weren’t dealing with freezing temperatures. This perspective has kept me grounded and in a space of realizing we were far from experiencing true suffering. So many have it WAY worse I need to be reminded that I truly live a charmed life.
6. Monopoly can be played with one person. I mean, it started out with multiple players, but when everyone but my 6-year old got bored with the game, he proved it possible to move from chair to chair, as if he had no loyalty to any particular player.
7. Humanity is intact. Without the help of others, this truly would not have been bearable. We had so many friends and family reach out with offers to stay and although it can be difficult to “ask for help,” we certainly weren't without the offers. A big thanks to my father-in-law, Roger, for letting us crash his place to cook, do laundry and work. Thanks to my sister, Jessica Swisher for knowing without being told that I was at a breaking point and for picking up my kids and giving them a place to stay and play.
Our first thunder blizzard apocalypse is in the books.
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