N.J. Girl's Essay On Christie Featured In Time Magazine's 'Most Influential' Issue

PORT MONMOUTH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A 9-year-old girl comforted by Chris Christie in the days following Superstorm Sandy has now returned the favor by showering the New Jersey governor with praise.

Ginjer Doherty cried to Christie when he visited her devastated Port Monmouth neighborhood after the storm. The governor later called Doherty the voice of Sandy children in his State of the State address months later.

Young Ginjer was so impacted by Christie's reassurance that she wrote a 219-word essay featured in Time magazine's "The 100 Most Influential People In The World" issue.

"My house was all messed up, and people told us we couldn't stay there anymore. The governor told me not to worry — that my parents would take care of everything — and he looked very serious and sad, and he cried. He said he would be back to help our town," part of the essay reads.

Ginjer's mother Gail said the two shared a special moment.

"It was kind of surreal -- the whole thing. It was very weird," Gail Doherty told 1010 WINS' Eileen Lehpamer.

Gail Doherty said Christie's influence was like that of an uncle.

"That kinda calmed things down. After we met him, I felt like 'You know, he's the boss' and he's telling you things are gonna be cool," she said.

The girl's mother also said she couldn't be prouder of her daughter and honestly didn't even realize how big the article would be.

"We think it's awesome. I think it's really cool," she said.

Meanwhile, the family is hoping to have their home rebuilt by the holidays.

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