Where the sidewalk ends

When we walked out to assess the damage that Miss Irene left us, I heard the words to this poem go through my mind. 

Where the Sidewalk Ends

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

-Shel Silverstein

Although the poem is more lighthearted and happy than the photo, it occured to me that regardless of the damage to the beach this weekend, this will be a place that kids come back to.  Families will come back to help clean up.  They will celebrate Labor Day.  They will dig their umbrellas into the sand, breathe in the smells of salt and coconut sun tan lotion, and splash in the water.  Despite the fact that in parts, the sidewalk has literally ended, people will use that path to transition from the stress and damage of this storm to the memories and joy of our beach.   We will enjoy the last bits of sunlight each day before we retire into our powerless homes for the long dark night.  We will recall the sound of the waves crashing and use that to drown out the sounds of generators working to bring some power to those who need it most.

I'm so thankful that our friends and loved ones are all safe.  Although there  is damage, and in some places significant and life changing damage, we will move on.  We will rebuild.  We will salvage what we can.  While it is still so fresh and raw for many, I hope that the place where the sidewalk ends can eventually be turned into a place where something new begins.  

As I reviewed the pictures I took from the storm, I realized that some of them were beautiful.  That is not to take away from the severe damage that has been done to people's homes and lives.  I'm only asknowledging the power of mother nature, the strength of the ocean, and the humility of not being able to control it.  Here are some photos that I think showcase the strength and power of these forces:

Whitney