I did have heaps - I had a great post in my mind on Saturday about the beautiful day we had and the beach and the poetry reading on Saturday night - but now...
We are all in shock.
Right now it feels like July 31, 1997 or September 12, 2001 or December 27, 2004 - just gutted and surreal.
We saw a small amount of footage on the TV of the fires on Saturday night - but you expect bushfires in Victoria in Summer.
We heard the unfolding of it over the last few days, and it is devastating.
There were arsonists - but even if every arsonist was locked up forever there would still be bushfires.
It reminds me of Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine's book "Last Chance To See" where they saw a snake expert before going to Indonesia asking about how to survive if a snake were to bite them.
The advice was "don't get bitten".
Sometimes nature is cruel. Nature gives storms with lightning and no rain. Nature gave man fire - in the words of my father "a good servant, but a harsh master".
I am gutted, but I am here, beside the beach, 2000km away when many people's lives were devastated by fire.
Just as I am here, beside the beach, 1500km away when people's lives are being devastated by floodwater.
As many from the flooded North are saying "at least we are alive" and are gutted by the bushfires.
The Red Cross needs blood - that is all I can do, really.
I would love to give money, but due to the lovely "economic downturn" my contribution to half the household running has been stretched to cover whole. V has been able to get 2.5 days work this year. He is out right now driving by every building site to see if any work is happening, if there is any work to be had.
Up here, it is paradise but we now have huge unemployment. There is at least two stories of companies going bust for every job advertisement.
There are almost enough empty units and houses in this quiet seaside paradise to house 1/3 of the homeless from the fires. Maybe I should suggest it to the local Chamber of Commerce?
Sure - there would be no jobs for the refugees - but there are roadside stalls and markets with veges and fruit.
It puts it all into perspective - I have a home and will not starve. I have my loved ones. I have a storm threatening and it is muggy - and I thank whatever lord is watching over me and beseech him or her to give my blessings to those who need it more.
I apologise for the crap post. I really don't know what to say, and that is so unusual for me.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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21 comments:
That's not crap darling. It's real. And heartfelt. Give what you can. Thoughts are sometimes enough.
Hugs
BB
I only heard the details on Monday when I had access to tv/radio/newspaper again.
It is so tragic. I struggle to comprehend the torment so many of the people in the affected areas have gone/are going through. And I also just want to hide under the bed when 'the experts' mention the elephant in the room: was the unsurpassed ferocity of this disaster due to global warming?
All of it makes one feel so helpless. I donated some money (and cannot donate blood) but I too wish there was more I could do.
Words are shapeless at the moment.
My head is thick with fog and spinning.
I think we're all a bit shell shocked and lost for words to say.
Sorry to hear about the work situation up where you are too. Sounds rough.
Jeanie, it is a great post. Heartfelt.
Lyndon and I both agreed that at least we are in a position to be able to donate which we will today. But blood donation is just as giving as any cash donation.
It's not a crap post. I so wish I could do more than offer a heartfelt - my prayers are with you all.
Take care of yourself and your family - they are so precious!
ox
Julie
Big hugs, hun. I'm glad you're counting your blessings, but it's still rather shocking to see so much devastation.
It is extreme and awful! It made headlines in our National papers, which shows the nature of how terrible this is
David
Ah, Jeanie, it is not a crap post. It is a post about a crap situation. No words can make it better. The fires are awful. The flooding, awful. The unemployment thing? Yeah, we're dealing with it too. It's not fun. It is crap. Wordsmith that you are, you can't make it prettier. I simply keep reminding myself that 'this too will pass...' Chin up, my friend!
This isn't a crap post Jeanie, it's a sad and relevant one. I agree that giving blood is one of the most important things that we can do. Burn victims will be needing blood for weeks and months to come.
T xx
Not a crap post at all. I think you've just expressed what many other australians are feeling
I think that it's a beautiful post. We all do what we can, however we can.
It's a beautiful post Jeanie and has verbalised much of what many of us think and feel.
I hope V finds work soon.
My thoughts are with all of you.
I think you did a beautiful job of talking about a crappy situation. I think the suggestion to the Chamber of Commerce is excellent. No point in perfectly good resources going to waste.
It's a good post that doesn't let us forget such a large scale tragedy in a hurry.
You said what I feel.
(hugs) Well written Jeanie.
We all give what we can and it is what is in your heart that matters. I feel numb and can't articulate the strong emotions I am feeling.
It is the biggest tragedy of our time.
I hope V finds work to improve your situation too.
In your not saying much you've said so much. I can only imagine the energy that is there but I can almost feel it after this. A state of numb disbelief. That's what I get. I wish it were different.
I think we're all going to be weathering some storms in the next while, one way or the other. I hope you and yours stay safe, housed and well fed.
Happy Valentine's Day to the three of you!
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