Hurricane Irene came and went in like a lion and out like a lamb only on the surface of the calm water afterwards. But in its wake Irene left flooding, lost trees and tree limbs, and thousands without power.

Many of us lost power including electricity, air conditioning, hot water, and use of land line phones, computers, and television. Some people took this opportunity to make their to-do lists for the week, clean out drawers and cabinets, read, practice their instruments or listen to music, books on tape, and news with battery operated CD's and radios.

Through all of this, I am reminded of how grateful I am to have these amenities that I take for granted. I am reminded that in our busy lives, we often miss quiet times to regroup because we are too preoccupied to plan them and fit them in. A hundred years ago, this is how people lived without any of the "necessities" that we so rely on and feel lost without. And with the gains of all the amenities we have we sometimes lose the essence of what we are to do - love, laugh, help each other, and build community within our hearts and actions.