Devastation, horror, destruction.
Images of roller coasters in the crashing ocean, the boardwalks we once roamed on hand in hand, whether it be your child’s hand or the hand of your partner, all gone. Boardwalks washed away like a tiny twig in a river.

Viewing this horrific damage from Texas, reminds me of the hurricane that wiped out the levys in New Orleans during the Katrina storm.
I remember asking myself when seeing the floods on tv and saying “Why would anyone live there?”

The difference between Katrina and Hurricane Sandy for this spectator is this hits home. I know why people live there. It’s a great place to live and raise a family.

For viewers across the country that see that Facebook photo of Route 37 with Barnegat Bay on one side and the Great Atlantic on the other. Separated by only a couple of football fields and water rushing in with the thundering power that washes away anything in its way, I wonder if they ask that same question that I did. When they see that submerged rooftop under the Mantoloking Bridge, are they asking “Why?”

Many uninformed people ask why would anyone live in New Jersey anyway.

I’ll tell ya why. We love our state and all the many different people in it. We love all the beautiful landscapes God has placed in the Garden State as well as the vast amount of self created ones. We may not be as friendly as people from other parts of our great country unless we know you but we love you just the same.

The houses you see floating happen to be in one of the most exciting and memorable parts of Jersey, the Jersey Shore. Yes, Snookey gives us a bad name. We are good people. All the good local people to this area got wounded in mother nature’s violent torrent this week. The destruction invades our memories and quality of life. We feel for our neighbors. We hurt for those that hurt. Together, we are New Jersey.

On a lighter note, Bruce sings “Jersey Girl” in a happy voice. The assumption is its a Jersey Boy in the song. Is there a boy from Jersey when they came of age that did not count the days down until the end of the week when you were going to the Jersey Shore?

Excitement in the salt air with haunting sounds of waves crashing in the dark, game tenders spinning the wheels for your quarters, shouting out “We have a winner!”
All this action and lots of pretty girls to smile at. As young teenagers it was the highlight of our week.

The intrinsic value of growing up in Jersey we take with us, wherever life brings us. Jersey people by no means will short change the future generations of life at the Jersey Shore and all the memories yet to be made whether its a teenage couple or a mature couple getting their first kiss together in a quaint beachside town.

They will come together, support one another, and help each other. This is what New Yorkers and Jersey people did on 911. We overcame.

For those that wonder why anyone would live there, my guess is you are one the people that never visited the Garden State. Jersey gets an unearned bad rap. Go visit the East Coast, you will see how great it is.

In fact, why not visit this week and show some love to people that may need your hand during this awful time? We all get by with a little help from our friends. We are a small state but we have a big heart. We welcome you. Bring love and compassion.

On my journey I learn that destruction knows no boundaries, let’s respond with “Love knows no boundaries.” Bless someone you know in New Jersey. Pray for them right now.

God Bless New Jersey and all the fine people in it!