In the summer of 1955, Hurricane Diane ravaged the Northeast region of the United States, leaving behind a path of destruction and devastation. It was the second most costly hurricane in US history at that time, causing massive flooding, landslides and destroying homes and businesses. The events of Hurricane Diane serve as a backdrop for Carol Lunney-Hampson’s novel, “Stella’s Very Special Summer,” which is based on a true story of a family that weathered the storm in a cabin along the river in Pennsylvania. In this blog, we will closely examine the story behind the novel and how the family survived Hurricane Diane.
The novel’s protagonist, Stella, an 11-year-old girl, spends her summer with her family in their cabin by the river. Her father, who works in the city, joins the family only on weekends. The family rents out small cabins, rowboats and sells fish bait to make ends meet. However, things take a turn for the worse when the family incurs hospital debt from the twins’ tonsillectomy, and they may not be able to keep up the loan payments and could lose the cabin. The hurricane becomes the ultimate test of their resilience and strength.
The family’s experience during Hurricane Diane is a testament to human resilience and overcoming challenging situations. The novel accurately captures the fear and uncertainty that the family experienced as they waited for the storm to approach and pass. The cabin was not built to handle such a storm’s fury, and the family had to secure it and their boats to get through the storm.
The novel highlights the family’s plight during the hurricane. As the storm raged outside, the family huddled together inside the cabin, hoping and praying for the storm to pass. The river outside the cabin climbed over its banks, and water from the mountainside above forced new pathways to the river alongside the cabin. The family was stranded in the cabin, with no way out, as the raging waters outside made it impossible to escape. The family’s courage and determination to survive the storm are inspiring and a reminder that we can overcome any challenge if we have faith and hope.
As the storm subsided, the family emerged from the cabin, only to find that the world outside had changed forever. The hurricane had caused widespread damage, and the family’s fish camp and the surrounding area were hardly recognizable. The family’s resilience was tested once again as they began to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives. The aftermath of the hurricane brought the family together, and they realized the true value of their cabin and the memories they had made there.
The true story behind “Stella’s Very Special Summer” is a tale of resilience, strength, and the power of the human spirit. The novel accurately captures the fear and uncertainty that the family experienced during the hurricane, and their survival is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome any challenge. The story of the family’s ability to hunker down during the hurricane is inspiring and serves as a reminder that we can overcome any obstacle if we have faith and hope.
In conclusion, “Stella’s Very Special Summer” is a nostalgic trip back to the 1950s and a story of survival and resilience during one of the deadliest hurricanes in US history. The novel accurately captures the family’s experience during Hurricane Diane and serves as a reminder that we can overcome any challenge if we have the courage to face it head-on. The true story behind the novel is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the resilience that lies within each of us.