Same job, different uniform.

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Putting it Into Perspective

We've been working all day, all of the basement that isn't carpeted is dry, and it felt good to sit in the living room in the quiet of the evening absorbing the pink and blue dusk, grateful that the heavy lifting is over.

There is much to be said for the kindness of strangers. My neighbors were strangers this morning, but disaster (however minor) is a great equalizer. They marched through the water and into our basement with introductions as they passed. Together we hauled our belongings out of the wet rooms and into the garage or the dry spots in the basement. They've done it before--some of them today. Bound by a double need for support and the desire to help, we are friends.

One neighbor lived in Grand Forks in 1997 when the town suffered a devestating flood and evacuated for two months. She was upbeat and helpful in more ways than one. She hauled wet cardboard boxes upstairs and told stories about the damage from the flood in Grand Forks; she brought sandwiches and cold pop; she gave and took orders; she saved my books and priceless LPs.

At one point she mentioned Hurricane Katrina and how the memory of what happened there helps her put thing in perspective. It helped me too.

We're safe; we've eaten a hot meal; we know how to use our sump pump; and tonight we're going to sleep really, really well.


And this is not our car.


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3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...




Thank heaven for a break in the weather - and for great neighbors.

We've had some minor flooding down here, but nothing like that.

Monday, May 07, 2007

 
Blogger girlfriday said...




Thank you.

Considering that some homes and businesses here still have three feet of water in their homes, our flooding seems minor too.

Then again, the president of the university was talking to my husband last night and being from Pennsylvania, said we don't know what a flood is!

It hasn't rained again, so amen to what you said. HOpefully it stays that way.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

 
Blogger Everyday Anne said...




Whoa! What a mess! Glad that you came out fairly unscathed, though a little wet for wear :) I haven't been part of a flood like this before. Who said marriage wasn't exciting?

Saturday, May 12, 2007

 

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