Wednesday, 24 October 2007
Wednesday:
Now a half of a million people have been evacuated, that's a lot of displaced people. You have to imagine that's a lot of needs to be met. Fortunately, we are a state full of caring and compassionate people, for that matter, we are a nation of the same. I'm always amazed and grateful how we rally for each other. The many stories of incredible generosity and people going more than the extra mile to help others. I truly believe that you reap what you sow. Today I help you, tomorrow it may be me that needs help. There will always be rotten people who seek to benefit from the disaster no matter how unscrupulous the methods. Hopefully they will also reap what they sow. But what gives me hope is the unselfish acts of kindness at a time when people need that the most.
Less smoke and ash floating around today. My lungs don't burn so much and for that I'm grateful. I think they have made significant progress in starting to control these fires. I imagine in the next few days it will be over -- or close to that. Then the rebuilding of lives and homes can begin. Earthquakes make people move, not fires. I cannot imagine what those people who lost homes must feel but I hope they keep in mind the most important part of this, you are alive to rebuild. Things can be replaced, cars bought again, houses rebuilt; but people are a loss that can never be recovered. Hard as it is to lose so much of our material lives, nothing is worth losing your life for. The most important part of any disaster is the safety of family and others -- for everything else, there's FEMA. (kind of sounds like a Master Card commercial).
A big cheer to all the hard working and dedicated firefighters, pilots and volunteers of all kinds. You all rock, we all appreciate your efforts. Now, I'm going to go hug the kids and the dogs.
Rach
