Letter to the Editor: Thank You on Behalf of South Windsor Family

I would like to publicly thank the folks that helped my family Oct. 28, 2012.

The year 2012 was a very trying year. As storm Sandy was bearing down on the northeast of the United States, a car demolished the apartment of Liz and Greg Torres in the early morning of October 28. Not only was there no safe place to settle down and wait out the storm, but the Torres Family belongings were left exposed to the elements of Storm Sandy (behind a tarp at least, thank you).

First, thank you, to all the first responders. I as the grandmother, mom to Mrs. Torres, mother –in-law to Greg Torres, and know firsthand that there where many first responders on the scene. I was not in the house until the construction crew gutted most of the place so they could build support walls and remove all the demolition material. I don’t know the way it really looked that early morning, but I am forever thankful for your ability to focus on the rescue work. I did see many vehicles at the house that morning.

As I understand, there were many other vehicles working the issue at different places that morning.

What I did see, of the remains of the house and belonging after the support walls were built, was terrifying. For folks that didn’t see the inside after this event, think of the following. If you have ever done any spackling, you know that a small amount of sanding can create a major clean up. Envision a wrecking ball crashing through an outside wall of your house, then continuing through 4 more walls and a wooden stair case. But also add in all the furniture, bathroom fixtures, closets, shelves, clothes, towels, and personnel belongings along the path. All shattered to bits in a matter of seconds. Everything covered with demolition debris from the walls and house hold items. But remember too, the demolition ball, also shakes the entire structure, it not only effected some areas directly, but also the entire apartment by shaking things down, picture frames on the ground and kids trophies and books knocked off the shelf. All material things, when you think about the potential for the loss of life. Three beds destroyed during the demolition and no loss of life.

The emotional toll will last a long time. As different family members remember an item they had, or liked, or a gift they received. The moment you say, I have one, let me get mine. But remember you don’t have those things any more. But we all know we are fine and we have each other. The best items survived the car crash that day, the Torres Family. Many of the material items have been replaced or we are still working on replacing them.

It was with your support, all the support, large and small, that allowed the Torres family and me to recover from this tragic event. You provided the immediate medical care, emotional support, shelter, meals, and clothing. Also, thanks to you some of the long term needs like beds, dishes, clothes, and monitory support. It is not easy to replace most everything a family of five needs to survive. The most important part was your time, love, and emotional support during this most difficult time.

Little children know when things are not right, but don’t quite understand why things are different. The car crash was Oct. 28, one child was expecting a birthday party for her 4th birthday Oct. 30, and of course what child doesn’t know about Halloween on October 31. Thanks to you, the events happened. A surprise balloon delivery and a safe place to trick or treat. These are small items, to a grown up, but big events to children that helped the Torres Family move forward. These wonderfully thoughtful events helped the children, but also the adults in the Torres family feel like life can be good and back to normal.

Of course anyone that has ever been though a horrific experience knows, things are never as they were before. It is with time and patients, your support and caring, that things are normalizing.

Celeste Champion
167 Fairview St
Willimantic, Ct 06226
W-860-450-2776
H 860-423-0751