I am gone for a few days ...

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I am not sure for how long

Sandy knocked my power out for a day, internet for another day.
and i was kinda pissed,

but

I just now found out i got off easy.

I have family in seaside , toms river , brick town, and shore acres NJ.
I also have family in Flat bush, Manhattan and upstate NY

My 87 year old uncle survived, his house flooded and floated away.
He survived by hunkering down in a 30 year old tree house.
HE is the only family so far to contact anybody

the rest of the family in those area's are, unreachable.

So i am gone. i am off to fetch my uncle, and any other family i can find.

I don't need luck, but a few prayers would not hurt.
we are talking about 11 people that nobody can contact.

reports have come in of flooding, that has totally wiped out the neighborhoods.
( in shore acres NJ ) and 6 are dead.

I have a 12 hour trip to get there, I will find my family and bring them
home safe.

<< crossed fingers >> and god willing.
  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    I'll keep my eyes and toes crossed for them. (I'd cross my fingers, but that makes typing a little off...)


    Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Ah jeez Ken. I hate hearing this. So glad your uncle is a trooper! You need to spend time with him when you get home - it sounds like he has worlds to teach.

    I am sending the most positive energy your way I can muster. Godspeed. Please keep us informed of the good news when you get them home and safe.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Ken, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    And I'll wish you good luck to boot. Do what you have to do, we'll see you when you get back.
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    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Aww, no, Ken!

      My thoughts are with you and I certainly will lift up a prayer for you and your family!

      God be with you!

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    Godspeed, Ken. I hope you find everyone safe from harm.
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    Raising a child is akin to knowing you're getting fired in 18 years and having to train your replacement without actively sabotaging them.

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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Good luck Ken.
      Your Uncle sounds like one hell of a guy
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  • Profile picture of the author fpdeziner
    where you are going?
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    • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
      I will add you and hope you find them all safe.
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  • Profile picture of the author HostWind
    You'll find them man, if they have the same determination in their genes that you have, then I know you will.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jacqueline Smith
    Have a safe and successful journey!

    I'll be thinking about you and your family.

    Please keep us posted.
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  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    I am back, all of my family from NJ is accounted for.
    I never made it into Manhattan.

    What a F'n mess. Bieng a Andrew survivor ( my nieghborhood was completley flattened )
    I thought i was mentally prepared for anything. I was wrong. I did what I could to help while
    I was there, but it wasn't enough.

    My uncle is a real trooper, if you saw the tree house you would crap your self before thinking
    it was a good place to ride out a storm, much less a hurricane. My intention was to bring
    him back to Fl, but he was supposed to go in for a bypass today. I set him up with a
    hotel and rented him a car instead, both of his were destroyed.

    Seaside, point pleasant, brick town and shore acres ... those places were where
    the family always spent the summers, where i have some of the fondest memories.
    I really looked forward to bringing my family there. There is really nothing left to
    bring them too.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Thank you for the update Ken!

      Just this morning as I was watching the news, I wondered how you were faring. I am so happy to hear that all of your family is accounted for.

      My heart still goes out to you as I cannot even imagine seeing all of that devastation firsthand.

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    The devastation is awful from what I've heard and seen on TV, but at least your family made through alive. Your uncle sounds like a real trooper.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    So glad that your family is safe. That is the best news you could bring to us. I like your uncle, even though we've never met. As I said before, you need to sit and talk with that man. He has some sharps you want to tap into while you can. All of our elderly do and it's just nonsensical the way we ignore them just because we have new technologies that seem to make their words obsolete. They are not. They have knowledge we need to know. They have stories to tell that we will never hear again when they are gone. My father is just a few years older than your uncle, and he has a wealth of life experience that can never be replaced by people of my generation.

    Anyhow - I'm rambling. It's good that you have your family back, and I have so much respect for you dropping everything to go make sure they are all accounted for and taken care of. You're a good man, Ken.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      Ken,

      Thank you for sharing with us. Thank you for the update. I'm glad to hear that those in NJ are accounted for. I know there is more to go through for you, friends and family. If it helps at all, you can see there are many who are thinking and pulling for you and yours.

      Regards,

      Joe Mobley
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  • Profile picture of the author Jacqueline Smith
    Thanks for the update.....I've been thinking about you and your family.

    I am so glad everyone is safe.....your uncle sounds like quite the character!
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  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    Yes, my uncle is a true died in the wool bad ass.

    He survived 3 tours in Nam, and some other crazy stuff too.

    As far as talking to him about those types of things, he wont do it.

    I asked him how he got to the tree house, his answer... I just did.

    and for everyone one who expressed concern and empathy.

    Thank you ... I appreciate it more then you will ever understand.
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    • Profile picture of the author raferj
      God speed...
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        As far as talking to him about those types of things, he wont do it.

        I asked him how he got to the tree house, his answer... I just did
        I think I would like your uncle! I like people who just do what has to be done and he sounds like one of those.

        It doesn't matter how he got to the tree house - only matters that he did get there.
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  • It's good to see you safe at home and sound, mate - Best of success to you and yours...


    Your uncle BTW: has some security issues....)
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  • Profile picture of the author cuccu88
    Good luck to you
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Go find your family Ken! Bring them in safe!
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    • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
      Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

      Go find your family Ken! Bring them in safe!
      hey john, i got back Monday. All is well.

      Well except for the fact that I got myself sick. Everything was wet and waaay
      colder then i am used too here in FL.

      It funny, when i was a kid i could run around in the snow in shorts
      and a t-shirt, no problem. Now... 60 degrees and my teeth start chattering.
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  • Profile picture of the author bsbear
    That's insane. Best of luck.
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