By Karen D. Lorentz
posted
Sep 5, 2012
SHREWSBURY-Many residents of Shrewsbury experienced the
emotional roller coaster that Irene brought to others. People were
marooned and inconvenienced, but that was a minor nuisance compared
to those who suffered more serious damage to their homes and
property. Fortunately, there was no loss of life.
There were many heroes though. One man saved a home by pulling
out a nearby culvert, keeping damage to a minimum.
Others were unsung heroes, helping neighbors in large and small
ways. One young man raked rocks to form a two-track bridge so that
those of us who live up on the CCC Road could drive off the
mountain. If you aimed your vehicle just right, you could get down
the road. I didn't dare drive it at night, though, for fear I would
miss the rock bridge.
With the CCC Road knocked out to the Plymouth to our east and
the Cold River Road knocked out, we could only get to Rutland by
going the "long way" around. That enabled John to do his work even
though he couldn't get to Killington for three long weeks. A friend
got into his office and faxed and emailed necessary documents while
his assistant worked from a home computer in Rutland, and I did the
same to help him get work done.
These inconveniences were minor compared to the devastating loss
of a friend who drowned and another's loss of a home. We were
grateful that we only had driveway washouts and branches to pick
up, but seeing others suffer was horrible.
Also major for us was my brother's planned wedding for 9-10-11
at the Woodstock Inn. Since he and his bride were from Colorado and
the inn had to cancel, we had to help find a place that could hold
the wedding and reception at the last minute.
The Barnard Inn came to their rescue, and they had the
proverbial beautiful day for an outdoor wedding. We all enjoyed a
good time, maybe more so because we appreciated being able to be
there!
Now our son is getting married on Saturday, August 25. We are
amazed at their bravery on choosing a date on the anniversary
weekend. We are praying for nice weather as they, too, hope to
marry outdoors.
Hopefully, history won't repeat and people will be able to get
to the Balm of Gilead (on the CCC Road). But the lingering
emotional effects of Irene, and our respect for too much rain in
too little time, has us older folks nervously following
forecasts.
On the other hand, the days have been getting nicer and less
humid and we just had a perfect weekend. Maybe the power of prayer
will keep all safe and celebrating after all. I hope so. And I hope
that those who suffered most grievously will benefit from our
prayers that time has helped heal their wounds from losses that can
never be forgotten.
