It’s a little eerie looking back one year ago. Early in the day, we could not have anticipated what would soon be upon us. Sure, there were warnings and advanced preparation. All transportation had shut down as did the NYSE for a nearly unprecedented second day. But still, I don’t think anyone really understood what was coming. Seriously, how could we.

I remember sitting on my couch in the dark playing games by candlelight with my family and telling the kids this was an adventure that would pass soon. I was terribly wrong as I soon learned through the little contact I was able to maintain with my parents and my sister by cell phone, both who live in Oceanside around the corner from each other but couldn’t communicate. The water rose, and kept rising while they tried to hold it back but lost. The furniture started floating as did the cars. Their panic levels grew, the electric station exploded and sparked –while I was still sitting on our couch in the dark feeling helpless and angry that I hadn’t insisted that they come to my house.

In the days and weeks that followed Hurricane Sandy, the stories we heard made me sad and proud all at the same time. So many stories of loss but also selfless giving. It is those tributes to the strength of community, just like our Gotham family, that I choose to remember. Let’s all stop just for a moment today and think about where we were one year ago.