This is the 11th anniversary of the devastating storm of 2012 with the ironically sweet name of Sandy. It impacted my family’s Thanksgiving celebration as it did to so many other families on Long Beach Island. I had no heat or working gas stove, but yet I still felt lucky and grateful. Many homeowners suffered terrible loss. Most of my house was spared and I was able to live there while repairs were done.

I do love Thanksgiving because it’s the only time most of our family is together.