Death and Destruction in New York City
As my travels continue and take me to the real Holland where I’ll share about my time with new fabulous friends and their beautiful country…there are a couple of updates…
Regardless of where you are in the world, you’ve heard about the horrific destruction and devastation Hurricane Sandy has brought to the Northeast of the United States.
This morning I ventured out to assess the damage and found my neighborhood to have fared extremely well in comparison to Lower Manhattan, the remaining boroughs of New York City, New Jersey and other Eastern States. The parks in the Upper West Side of Manhattan where I live were the hardest hit due to high winds.
Central Park and Riverside Park (my front and backyard) will require major cleanup and replanting to bring it back to the beauty that all New York residents enjoy and love, as well as tourists from all over the world. But, that’s small in comparison to what others have encountered and will continue to experience as weeks and months go by. My heart goes out to all those who have been impacted by the wind and water damage.
But this week my heart is heavy for a very different reason. We can rebuild from the hurricane. We can replant trees, reopen businesses, clean up the mess over a period of time, but nothing will bring back the two little children brutally murdered (allegedly) by their nanny a few days ago.
This unimaginable horror occurred on the same street where I live and passing the growing memorial at the entry of their apartment building is beyond heart wrenching. People continue to pay their respects with flowers, candles, cards, stuffed animals, Halloween candy, and little pumpkins. A loss I can’t even shake, so imagine what these parents are experiencing. The death of someone close is always a devastating experience, but don’t you know the deaths of these two children have turned that family’s world completely upside down while trying to have some normalcy (if there is such a thing) for their one remaining child.
As I’ve walked my neighborhood these past couple of days, I’ve sensed families holding their children’s hand just a little tighter as they’ve been reminded that anything is possible.
Leaving Central Park on Sunday I noticed the parents photographing their two little ones in the autumn leaves. Both children had an uncanny resemblance to the two children murdered. Smiling, laughing and probably knowing the costumes their children will wear for Halloween, where the family will gather for Thanksgiving and perhaps ideas for gifts for the upcoming holidays. But the family with the horrific loss? Just putting one foot in front of the other each day will be an undertaking. My heart aches for them.
I am deeply shocked by the death of the children. I have problems and no mercy with/for people that lay there hands on innocent children.
We follow the news about the Super Storm at CNN. It will leave a scar for a long time. Our thoughts are with you all.
My prayers are with the parents. No words can express what they have to go through.
Dear DEAR friend, hang in there and it is good to hear from you. HUGS and love.
We pray for all the people living in the East Coast .
Be Safe.
No words can ever express what those parents are going through now and for as long as they live. Thank you for giving them the emphasis of your report…As you said, trees and buildings can be replaced but families can not…XXOO & MORE!! GH
Very powerful pictures & heartbreaking story!!
I just can’t even imagine the pain they must
be feeling. Devastating!!!!!!! Love you MORE!!!
To watch the events unfold on the news is one thing but to hear from your perspective brings everything home. Very sad to hear about the children and the destruction in New York. I am very happy that you are OK. Wish you and everyone on the eastern seaboard all the best.
Alex.
It was more than enough to grieve over this storm’s devastation, Robin, but to add the grief of these parents right now…my heart is broken. Thank you for your tender heart. It’s what will help heal your own world in these days to come, dear friend.
If think ever woman has been rattled to their bones by the death of those two beautiful angels. How do the parents go on? How do you make sense of this horrendous act? What role will the surviving child hold to keep this family intact? When are we as a culture going to wake up and realize, all we have are each other, time is fleeting so embrace the ones you love and the simple beauty in life.
Your words are so youching touching and the photo’s express non-verbally deep sturring in one’s soul fantastic work!
My English is too poor to express my feelings. All my wishes and prayers. Robin, thanks for sharing.
I thought of you during the storm, wondering if you were affected. So glad you are okay. The horrendous act of a child’s murder, much less two siblings, is unimaginable. Prayers for these parents, and all who are going through the heartbreak of these past few days.