So it’s almost been a full year since hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico with its devastating and terrifying winds and force. It left the entire country, essentially, off the grid. The winds were so strong, that any and all wireless communications were cut off for months. The only way for people to know if their family members were ok, was by using whatever signal they could possibly find to call an AM radio station and announce themselves through there. This was easier said than done, since there was also no electricity for the vast majority of homes for nearly 9 months, meaning that everybody was out scrambling for gasoline, generators, solar batteries and panels, and anything else that allowed them to have some means of digital connection to the world.

 

My experience of the hurricane isn’t that different from anyone else’s. I had to stand in line under the hot sun all day just for a rationed portion of fuel, go to extremely overfilled and under stocked stores to get simple supplies and food, etc. We all had our fair share of difficulties during and after the hurricane, one’s that have prepared us for the worse to come. I say this because despite the absolute devastation that hurricane Maria left in it’s wake, we still managed to pull through and thrive. A lot of people did pass away during and after the hurricane, but Puerto Rico stood tall and proud, aiding those who needed help and the one’s who were able pushed forwards to return our daily life back to normal.

 

Now, I don’t want to get into the “#PuertoRicoSeLevanta” and “#PuertoRicoNuncaCallo” discussion, but I can tell you, with the utmost confidence and pride, that Puerto Rico will only grow stronger as a people.