All eyes were on us, the news was focused on us, the country was watching. Just over a month ago we were overcome by the worst natural disaster Alberta has seen.
The rain started falling, the water started rising, people started scrambling and then it happened. The banks of the rivers spilled over and reminded us how little control we have when up against Mother Nature. So many communities were effected, so many lives turned upside down in an instant. It happened very fast, so fast that a lot of people didn't even get the chance to move the most precious items to higher ground, pets were left at home as people scrambled to get their children out before the water took their vehicle down stream. It happened in areas that had never seen water before, areas so far away from the normal flooded areas that some people didn't think they needed to leave and later had to be rescued from the top of their homes. Homes, vehicles, trailers and unfortunately even a few people swept away with the fury of the water plowing through trees and streets with no regard for what was in the way.
When the water receded and the sun came out we were left breathless and heart broken by the devastation left behind. It was hard to see, hard to imagine and hard to take in.
Nothing prepared me for the emotions that flooded in along with the water......relief, guilt, pity, encouragement, empathy, anger, overwhelming sadness, pride, happiness and love.
We were lucky. Our home was safe and so were all the people we loved. So we counted our blessings and were grateful to be safe and dry. With relief came the feeling of what can we do? Where can we be of help and how can we help? Then the phone rang and on the other end was my little buddy Courtenay, who also happens to be one of my soul mates, asking if I would be interested in going out with a team to help feed the volunteers! Without a moments hesitation yes yes yes!
We went out everyday for that first week. It was unbelievable and indescribable. We met some truly remarkable people and saw some incredible acts of kindness. The feelings were overwhelming and there were a few drives home clouded with tears, but always a feeling of love was in the air.
One of my favorite memories was standing in a backyard with about 20 complete strangers all covered in mud, muck, gloves and masks singing happy birthday to the the man who owned the house who was turning 90 years old. His belongings completely destroyed, strewn across his front yard, random people coming together to help out a man they had never met. I felt an overwhelming sense of love at that moment as tears were falling down my face, looking around at this amazing group of people who just wanted to help out their fellow man. I was also overwhelmed with admiration. I have always known that my friend Amber has a very special purpose here and seeing what she pulled together in less than 24 hrs was a gift. Seeing her there with her mom covered in dirt and mud eating a piece of vegetarian pizza smiling and laughing with the other volunteers there made me so proud.....I can't imagine how proud her mom was.
The next week we were able to go out of town to help a neighbouring community. Again the people we met, the stories we heard and the sights we saw were completely overwhelming. I was so proud of the company we work for, the people that came out to volunteer and my husband. He is such a good man with a huge kind soul. A relationship he made was the catalyst for this act of kindness and his willingness to jump in and do whatever was necessary to help these people left me bursting at the seams with love. We were able to once again provide a service and fill a need to a group of people dealing with an overwhelming situation. There is still so much to do, so many uncertainties, so many people in need and we will continue to help however we can.
There are so many examples of extreme generosity and kindness that I could go on forever and I feel so so lucky to have been able to be involved in these events and to have these amazing people in my life. These events have not only confirmed to me that I am on the right path in my life and have done a good job of filling my life with amazing people but also renewed my faith in humanity. The events I have witnessed have reminded me that there are so many good people out there.
It is way too easy to focus on what is wrong in our world, this was a nice reminder of what is right in our world and I am going to focus on that. I am going to hang onto this feeling and continue doing whatever I can to keep it alive and inspire it in others.
