The hurricane and the Hubers

In an effort to preserve some moments of Huber history I feel the need to write down a few reflections from the last few weeks.

My grandmother, Alberta huber, died two weeks ago. She was 95. She was ready to meet her maker and for the most part we were ok with it. I was amazed by my Aunt Beth who took on the lion share of caring for Nana, and at the end kept a near constant vigil as I for one traipsed off to Libya. From giving her gold medals to opening windows my Aunt tried to help Alberta go with peace and grace, and she finally did. Her funeral was a celebration and not too emotional except my brother's occasional outburst or my aunt's sweet sniffles. I was only overcome once and that was when I was presented with her engagement ring. It seemed too extravagant a gift and I did not feel worthy.

Then my parents drove down for "meet the parents" weekend. This deserves a blog in and of itself but suffice it to say it went well. The Aaronson and Huber clans did well.

My parents scurried off on Sunday to beat out the hurricane which was expected to devastate the eastern seaboard. In DC we worried but the storm mostly spared us. New York and New Jersey were not spared. The history of Sandy is well documented and awful. 

My house on the Highlands was spared because it was indeed on high lands. The town was wiped out. 1,200 of the 1,500 houses in downtown Highlands will be bull dozed.

My parents had no structural damage but lost power and as of this entry still don't have it. They claim it's not so bad. They have a gas stove and a fireplace and plenty of wood. They have the camaraderie of their great neighbors. Each night of the early days hosting communal grilling parties and drinking into the wee hours.

 

Four days after the storm it was clear that my dad was finally going to have to put down his beloved dog Maggie. Just a week after my grandmother passed, Maggie did too. She went with  my parents in the room reassuring her and weeping. It's too much.

 A few days afterwards my parents are trying to rebound. My dad is back to work but exhausted. My mom called the mayor's office. They were kind but that was all. So they wait for power and the Jersey shore reels in its destruction.

We are lucky of course but it is never easy. I'm amazed that they have stuck it out. We tend to dwell on our Huber crazy, with the often quoted adage "Sell crazy somewhere else. We're all stocked up here." But perhaps we should give a little more time and credit to the incredible strength of this family. I am amazed.