Antoinette Lauletta felt devastated, a word too often used ever since Hurricane Sandy slammed into Point Beach and the Jersey Shore.
But she also used a word that's been rarely, if ever used throughout this whole mess: Hopeful.
"We're very heartbroken," she said. "But the pictures we saw were also encouraging, because it looks like a lot of the houses are still on their foundation."
Lauletta has a summer house on Inlet Drive in Point Beach, across from the Shrimp Box. She saw the pictures on Patch of the Boardwalk wrinkled and crumpled.
She lives in Brooklyn, but a part of her is still in Point Pleasant Beach, where she usually stays with her family from spring until Thanksgiving.
She's not there now, because she knew she had to get out. She's glad that she did, but it's still hard, "because the toughest part is seeing if they're OK."
But a couple photos made her forget what she's heard elsewhere. Unlike other towns, there is still a community, as there always was.
There is still a place to have Thanksgiving, even if she's not going it there this time. There's something left of the boardwalk, even if a bunch of it is gone.
But it will be repaired, she believes, and become a place once again where she will be able to walk with her family.
"We're not gong to be down there for a while," she said. "But we're very encouraged."
I have no intention of politicizing the storm. I pray only for the safety of you and your loved ones... Let the first responders do their jobs, and the utility workers, theirs. If asked, assist - otherwise, it is best if we wait patiently. Where possible, look in on your neighbors. Make sure they are okay. Watch each others' backs, folks. We can weather this in exemplary fashion, or succumb to our own baser nature. For the next week, pay close attention to the good you see done by your fellow man. The media will only be reporting the defeats, never the victories. Patience is a virtue, and a difficult one to abide with. We will all need much patience over the next few days, as lines form for fuel, and as we wait our turn for restoration of our utilities. We're fortunate that the temperature is relatively mild - things could have been much worse. Be sure and thank those in your community who help out when you see them over the next coming weeks. They've earned your thanks, but they only rarely receive them. That's another change that is long overdue. Personally, our family escaped with no injuries, and property damage can be repaired. Today, each of us knows what is really important. Let's show the world what Jersey can do.
Also, is it true the shrimp box is gone? :(