Natural Disaster

  (Our backyard.)

There is nothing like a natural disaster to make you appreciate your family, friends, community and your life!! This past weekend the city I live in was flooded by river water caused from melting snow in the nearby mountains and heavy rain.  Unfortunately my family lives very close to one of the main rivers and we were forced to evacuate our house. I have to say having to leave your home is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but fearing for our safety was a much higher priority. At the end of it all when the water had receded and we were allowed back in, the damage was less than we had expected (only our basement was flooded and we had managed to move all of our belongings up or out) and we feel very lucky compared to others who have had a total loss of their home and their belongings.  Following the devastation, it has been amazing to see the community spirit that brings people together.  Strangers brought food to our house and came to our door asking if they could help in any way.  All of our family and friends were calling, texting, emailing and face booking offers of help and words of encouragement. It was these acts of kindness that kept us motivated to complete the clean up.  The clean up of the city continues with thousands of volunteers assisting anyway they can.  Of course there are also the opportunists who have increased prices on “in demand items” like bottled water, pumping services, garbage removal, etc. It has been nice to see that via Twitter and Facebook these people and companies are very quickly shut down or shamed into line, ah the magic of social media! Social media was also used extensively to communicate what was happening in the city and kept everyone calm and reassured and aware of where they could or could not go. . . .very well done!!

 As life returns to some sense of normalcy, it is interesting to me how strong the human spirit is.  We need to remember to be kind to ourselves and appreciate that wonderful spirit. My hope is that everyone who experiences that touch of grace that occurs when some one helps you when you need it most will remember that feeling and pay it forward. Let that spirit soar!