Death and Destruction in New York City
October 31, 2012 * * * * * Posted by: Robin 
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.
Hurricane Sandy
Reader Comments (17)
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. God have mercy on us all!
Oh Robin, this is such a painful topic. Just the thinking of the parents and the horrors their children went through brings so much pain felt deep inside, it must be terrible situation to be in. I guess we all need the belief that our children and other members of our families, as well as our friends are well and safe because we can't be with them all the time, shielding them from any possible danger. Every day when my sons go back from school I hope they'll arrive home well but at the same time I try not to think about it too much, the worries would be unbearable. We need to do as much as we can and then there is just the belief and hope.
I want to add that I understand how sharp the feelings may be for you when passing by the memorial at the entry of their apartment building. We read and hear many bad news but when they happen somewhere near us it's so much more real. On the road where I drive almost daily a bad car accident happened and a similar memorial you write about rose there immediately. Allegedly the people in the car were drugged and the blame was theirs but yet, passing by the memorial was bringing tears to my eyes.
So, let's pray for the parents so that they find their balance again and the family will overcome their lost, remembering forever their sweet children but letting go of the horrors.
Yes of course I am aware of the destruction that Hurricane Sandy has caused and is causing. A public tragedy which has been shared worldwide. I had also seen the story about the two children who lived in your street. Unimaginable pain for their families. As you say the effort in just putting one foot in front of the other is almost incomprehensible.
Sadly, there are also tragedies buiried in the destruction wrought by Sandy. Partners, lovers, colleagues and children who will never come home. Often these personal tragedies seem to get lost in the reporting of the horror of the whole. And grief and grieving (particularly for unexpected deaths) is something that I don't think we can ever 'get over'. Instead we need to find a way of moving forward with it as part of the new normal. A herculean task.
Thank you for this timely and beautiful, albeit heartwrenching post.
My heart goes out to you and to all who have been hurt over the last few days. The fear that things are out of our control, the havoc and chaos that follows. The last few months here have also been a litany of children and young people missing and murdered. None of it makes the slightest sense to so many of us who try everyday to add something positive to the world. But we must speak about the darker side, acknowledge the pain and cry.......there needs to be time for that and you have given us that space with your words. Sending you a big hug:~)
I simply have no words. I just can't imagine loosing two precious children in such a tragic manner.
And you, Robin, are so correct in that trees will be replanted, streets will eventually get cleaned up, everyday life for most will eventually return to normal, and as difficult as it is dealing with the devastating force of nature like Sandy has dealt so many, life is precious and irreplaceable. Thank you for reminding us.
Thankful that you are safe....
Robin,
I can not even begin to express the sadness in my heart for the family of those dear children, and for you as you grieve such a tragic loss, simply as a neighbor.
Like Sue, I have no words for this. Losing a child, in this case even two, in such a brutal, horrible way is unimaginable. My heart goes out to the parents.
I "followed" the hurricane and was relieved when I heard from my friends. They all are safe and hopefully warm. The devastation is huge, but eventually it will be cleaned up and life can turn back to normal, even if it takes a long time and will be hard for many. For those parents, "normal" as they knew it will not come back. It breaks my heart.
Every tragedy is our own. Blessings on this family...and on those devastated by the storm.
I can't imagine-so awful. I have no words that come close..
Losing your children is terrible, but losing your children because of somebody else is something you will never recover from. My heart goes out to the parents. I hope they will have the power to go on.
Things can be rebuild or re-planted or cleaned, death is definitive.
We are thinking of you a lot.
Love the picture of these innocent children, let them have all the fun and joy they can get right now!
Oh my, what a heartwrenching, heartbreaking story. Yes, things can be repaired and replaced, people cannot. And to have such young lives be cut short like that is unfathomable. I don't think we are ever able to wrap our minds around this sort of thing.
Holding you and those parents in my heart. xoxo
That is an awful thing to happen and it being so close to home means it had hit you even harder.
Your picture is a breath of fresh air in amongst so much destruction.
I heard something about this horrific story. When my kids were young - there was a similar incident here..where a nanny shook a baby to death. Absolutely tragic....and enough to make a mother never want to trust her kids to anyone else. And - yes - amidst all of the horror and loss..there is always greater horror and loss and grief.
The image of the two children playing adds a little much needed laughter and light...and a ray of hope. Thank-you for brightening up my day!
Sending peaceful thoughts ~ that's all I can think to do right now. So happy to hear that you are okay, even with a heavy heart.
The words fail me to express my sorrow for the family and friends of these children. How can they ever hope to re-built their life? My heart goes to them.
I am relieved you are OK even the devastation Sandy left behind
Thanks everyone for your comments and warm wishes. Sunday night we are having a candlelight vigil for the Krimm family here in the neighborhood park where the mom put so much of her time and effort in to make the children's playground what it is today. There's so much horror going on at the moment, but we will remain strong and pull through this. Everyone enjoy their weekend and if there's a child in your presence give their hand a little extra squeeze!
And once again, I ask the question, "What is wrong with such people?" the ones who harm others, and knowing that there is no good answer to this question, no answer that will prevent another tragedy from happening. It seems the only thing to do is focus on what is right with people and see people coming together to support others who are in need and hurting.