We were stunned and terrified as we hastily gathered medications (We both have serious health issues) and our pets. We came out to a flooded parking lot and first responders in yellow rain gear. then we saw boats...inflatable rescue boats. I am scared witless of little boats and the woman pulling the one we were to get in talked me through getting in as if I were a frightened animal and at that point I was.
I fearfully passed her my precious cat in her carrier and got into the boat, eyes turning to make sure my partner Shay and our dog Shaygo got into the boat with me. I was shaking so hard I swear my bones rattled. (and on a fat woman that shit is hard to do!) They got us across the mini river that was the parking lot and we trudged to a waiting school bus and I was without my cane and was struggling to make the trek over the sopping wet ground.
By the time we reached the bus I could barely breathe and was hurting so bad I wanted to cry. The driver helped me in and we made our way to the back of the packed bus. I sat there gasping for breath and constantly checking on partner and pets. We took a long, bumpy ride to Riders College Student recreation center where we were placed in the gym to sit and wonder what the hell was going to happen next.
There were women, men, dogs, cats and lots of kids there. The kids quickly decided to run and play, reminding me me of how resilient kids are, how easily they can forget stress and lose themselves in the world of games and make-believe. Shay was soaked from the knees down, meaning she was running around in soaking wet shoes and socks. (Which worried me to no end)
We opened Fuzzy's carrier to let her have some extra air and to hopefully calm her stress drooling. People with pets talked, as pet owners do and we exchanged stories, cooed over each others furbabies and calmed each other down with small talk and shared grumblings over the whole situation.
We met the sweetest puppy while at the gym, his name was JoJo and he was adorable! He made us laugh and smile which made our wait much easier.
After a few hours we got another hotel and were shuttled over there by a very sweet police officer, one among many who were so kind to all of us. We waited a while at the Element hotel until they could get us into a room but the wait was sooooo worth it! The suite had a full kitchen, a soft king sized bed and all the things we needed to soothe our tattered souls and bruised bodies. We had nothing with us save the clothes we wore, but for a while that didn't matter. We were safe, we had each other and our pets, so all was right with the world.
Food was take out, but it was food and that was all that mattered. We waited and called and worried about the state of the flooding and on how our car was faring. We were not able to get to it until Monday and when Shay came back from the first hotel she opened the door and called out cheerfully 'Hey Lucy!! I'm HOOOME!' I let out a laugh and ran to the door to help her bring in all our things. We had Fuzzy's much needed litter box, Shaygo's food (People food and small dogs equals noxious emissions from small dog) and CLEAN CLOTHING!! We both giggled with glee at being able to shower and change into clean clothing!
We had our phone chargers and our laptops! I jumped online and almost tearfully contacted the people I loved to let them know we were okay. We stayed the last night at the wonderful Element and then raced home the next morning. It was so good to see our home again, safe and sound, only a few twigs and acorns from Mama Oak scattered over the lawn.
We were so lucky compared to many others and I am thankful to Mother Goddess for that. We had stress, fear and even our boo-hoo moments (Me especially, I don't do stress well) but we came out of it bruised, tired but closer and stronger for it.
I want to thank all the first responders and the police officers for the gentleness and kindness they showed us and to the bus drivers for being just as sweet and kind. And to all the people working at the Element in Ewing NJ, you were the best and I will never forget how sweet you all were and how wonderful your suites were. May the Goddess bless you all and give you the good Karma you all deserve.
To all the people in our lives that love us and worried about us and with us, we adore you and love you all so much!! HUGGLES
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