The Aftermath

Jeffrey Caso

13 years ago

Before I can write about the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, I need to write a little bit about the time leading up to the actual hurricane. While I live no more than 10 miles from where this giant storm made landfall, the storm itself was the easy part of this past week. I should be used to the weather causing chaos in my life. Just like it was yesterday, I can remember the hurricane that hit on my wedding day 23 years ago. These two storms had a great deal in common. Most notably the fact that we knew they were coming for at least a week in advance and that the National Weather Service predicted their track correctly.

This time, however, the storm was conflicting with taking my son to college for the first time. Sure, many people have done it and it's no big deal. Well, when it affects your child it is a big deal. I spent the first part of last week in denial. Once that passed I was in military mode. Designing a plan to get us in and out quickly but not in a way that would make my son feel badly. I also needed to get home to deal with my house, office and elderly father.

The timing was tight. Drop off Friday at 6:00 p.m. Forget that we were supposed to stay until Sunday for the new students' convocation which is supposed to be an awesome event. Help him set up a bit, meet his roommate and his parents, and bid him farewell. That was and still is the hardest part. Leave Washington, D.C. at 9:00 p.m. Drive two hours. Sleep. Wake up at 5:00 a.m. and get back to Long Island by 9:00 a.m. Prepare for the storm and wait.

That may not seem like much, but it definitely was. As I said, the storm was the easy part. We all were fortunate; no injuries, just a short power outage and some damage to my boat. The house, office and my Dad all made out just fine. Someone was definitely looking out for us all.

Now just one thing left ... I need to plot my revenge. I was robbed of all of the parents' events at college - no campus tour, no tour of the town, no lunch in the dining hall, no parents' dance on Saturday night, no convocation and most importantly, no slow, comfortable goodbye to my son.

But no need to get mad. I have an ace in the hole. In six short weeks my wife and I will be heading back for parents' weekend. The weather better be perfect. The itinerary of events better be great. The dance better be fantastic. I plan to have a perfect visit and make up for what I missed out on. Really though, I am kidding. I am just so happy that the storm is over and everyone is safe. For now, our job is done and it's time to relax.