The Good Side of a Disaster

[just_sawing]

I have joined a disaster responce (UMC) team for the sole purpose of sawing trees down in a disaster. I had my frist escursion with them yesterday in Macon County TN where a tornado hit.
It was my plesure to be a part of a team there for one reason help their fellow man. It also was surprising and heart felt to see people doing nothing else but setting up cooking and giving it away. Red Cross actually stop by and came to us with coffee and snacks. I am sore from 8 hours in my Bobcat but lord willing I'll be at the next one also.

[EasyDay]

The folks here have pulled together so well! They're very helpful and neighborly anytime, but so many have gone above and beyond what could be expected in the aftermath of the tornado.

Strangers stop and ask if they can help with cleanup. Red Cross and most churches are offering three hot meals a day to anyone/everyone. FEMA was running the back roads making sure that everyone had shelter over their heads. Good Samaritan is writing checks on the spot. Plumbers, electricians, towing companies, etc., are all offering free services to storm victims. People who can't physically help with recovery are writing checks to families. Folks on the Trading Post radio show are giving away appliances, toys, you-name-it to storm victims.... things that they'd normally sell. The National Guard is onsite where the remains of homes are accessible to prevent looters. There have been 4 looters arrested in this area, that I know of.

Just_sawing... thanks for your service to your fellow Americans. It's folks like you that have made such a difference in this time of destruction and tragedy. Thank you!!!

[Up North]

That's right good of you just sawing. Setting a good example to be sure.

Easy Day we think of you and Mtn. Man and wish the best for you. That was some storm you folks weathered. Your sharing your experience has made me see the importance of preparing for the worst and having storm shelter functional.

[EasyDay]

Originally Posted by Up North

That's right good of you just sawing. Setting a good example to be sure.

Easy Day we think of you and Mtn. Man and wish the best for you. That was some storm you folks weathered. Your sharing your experience has made me see the importance of preparing for the worst and having storm shelter functional.

Thanks!
We are so much more fortunate than so many! I had told my brother that I would look around me 50 times a day and say, "Thanks, God, for all of this!". After the tornado, he asked me what I say now. I said that I look around, we still have our house, our critters, and our lives and still say, "Thank you, God, for all of this!"

It's been a hard week and a half, emotionally.
- The tornado hit a week ago Tues night
- two goat babies born a week ago last Thurs. night, one died (doeling) by drowning in the water trough! The survivor is a buckling.
- A healthy little bull born last Sunday night.
- Huge hail storm last Monday night. (DH was up all night checking the tarps on the roof, hoping they'd hold. Tarps are from where the tornado ripped our roof up.) We could have done without the freezing temps and rain, for the following days, for sure!
- Finally got power back on Tues morning.
- Two more goat babies born Tues night, both bucklings. but that's okay.
- Our Belgian Tervuren (11 y/o, 120 lb) hadn't been the same since the tornado. Trusting completely in DH, she ran through the storm with us to the creek. Laid in that freezing water, with DH on top of both of us. She was always completely obedient and very sensitive, downright emotional for a dog. Well, we took her to the vet Wed because her gums were snow white and her breathing labored. Turns out she had had a massive heart attack from the storm, with no chance of recovery, so we put her down. DH is just crushed about it!

Sorry, didn't mean to go on and on... and take over the thread! It's the "blabber fingers" DH says I have.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming...