A Look at Hurricane Sandy From a LIPA Family's Viewpoint

This is a letter penned and posted by a local Patch reader on Patch's facebook page over the weekend.

LIPA family update

I miss my husband who has not had a day off since Oct. 21. But I am use to this as this is my third hurricane I have been a Storm Widow. Oct. 21 people, That's right, he was in prep. mode before most people heard the word "Sandy". He is working 12 to 16 hours a day and has great work ethics. He is a company man and takes calls on a regular basis, every day of his career, and on his own time because that is how much he and his co-workers care about keeping electricity on.

I am not going to lie, it is also about keeping their jobs..no one wants to loose their jobs! It is their goal to perform at their highest capacity. Many never took a sick day in their whole careers, and they should be thought of as heroes. The employees of Nat'l Grid and LIPA have integrity so it upsets me to hear negative comments.

Although I understand everyone's frustration, I believe if you don't believe in your utility company, then you will never be happy no matter how hard they work. Imagine working as hard as you possibly can only to have people tell you your not doing a thing.

If more people research how our power system works, (it's not just about physical wires on the ground, many jobs require communication back and forth which requires stand by) then maybe it would help everyone to understand how complex it is.

We are all in this together, we will get through this, so have faith in your utility workers, a wave or a smile goes a long way! Thank you!!!!