Farewell, Puerto Rico

Previously I wrote about my old high school friend who for several decades has made his home on the island of Puerto Rico.  On Wednesday he, his husband and their dog flew from San Juan to Miami, and he sent an email to his family and friends.

He wrote...

"It is great to be back in a functioning society: one that has electricity, running water, actual telephone service, the internet, cable TV, and most importantly, air conditioning.  There are even traffic lights and street lights.  There is no curfew at 7 p. m.  And, you can freely enter a super market that actually has ample stock on the shelves, without waiting in line for an hour just to enter (and then, if you are in Puerto Rico, find nothing). 

Sadly this hurricane has taken Puerto Rico back to the 19th century; while China, India and the rest of the world marches into the 21st century!  Today, the government in Puerto Rico announced (through the U. S. Corps of Engineers) that they expect it will take 8 months to restore electrical energy services to the entire island."

I need two or three days to decompress.  I am suffering from post traumatic depression.  It has been horrific, the worst experience of my life.  The sense of loss is overwhelming. Suddenly, you realize that your world will never be the same.  Of course, there is always the hope that out of the ashes a new and improved Puerto Rico will arise... but, again, it will never be the same."

If the experience of Hurricane Maria was so traumatic for a couple of affluent, professional guys whose condo in San Juan was relatively unscathed, imagine the devastation suffered by poor people in the small towns and rural areas of the island...  people who have lost everything and who do not have the luxury of flying away to the safety and comfort of the mainland?  The administration in Washington may callously call Puerto Rico a "good news story", but in fact it is a story of despair which will continue long into the future.

My friend wrote about another victim of the storm not mentioned in the news here... the island's bee population.  Not only were countless trees toppled by the hurricane, but every bit of vegetation was stripped bare of leaves and flowers by the storm.  Bees are searching futilely for pollen and, exhausted, finally fall to the ground and die.  My friend found numerous dead bees even in his condo. 

My friend already had plans to retire next year.  In the meantime, he plans to commute between Puerto Rico and their other home in Miami to close up his law practice and tie up loose ends.  His husband plans to find a job in Miami.  They are saying good-bye to the island which they have loved for so many years.

They soon will be flying to Cleveland to visit his mom, so, before I leave for Mexico, I will have a chance to see them.