IN TIME OF PERIL

This "perfect storm" called Sandy is a real monster, touching and affecting many lives over an incredibly vast area. My heart and prayers go out to those affected, and I hope it ends up less catastrophic than predicted.

Living on an island in the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast of Florida, I appreciate the fear and dread of such storms. We were hit by Huricane Charley on Friday, August 13, 2004 and had a condo essentially destroyed, which had to be stripped down to bare walls and rebuilt, but, fortunately, no lives were lost. The possibility of a big storm is a reality with which we learn to live.

The flooding from Sandy triggered memories for me. In September of 1938, a hurricane hit New England. My middle brother (who later was killed in World War II) was on a train on his way to a prep school outside of Boston when the storm hit full blast. The train had to be evacuated, and my brother received a commendatory letter from the Governor of Massachusetts (along with several others, I'm sure)  for helping an old lady and carrying her off the train through waisthigh water to safety and then helping other rescuers assist distressed off the train.  My brother told how many people performed selfless acts of safety to evacuate people from that train.

In every catastrophe you have your share of idiots or stubborn fools who refuse to face the reality and danger from such storms and lose their lives or their homes. You also have the scum of the earth who take advantage of such catastrophes to loot or steal. But, thank God, you also have the heros, everyday people who do the right thing instinctively to help others in peril. A catastrophe, such as this perfect storm, brings out the worst---but also the best---in humanity.

Again, let's pray that few suffer or die and that damage is confined.