I suppose I shouldn't challenge Mother Nature.
The last time I wrote, I believe I talked about persevering even when the universe throws you obstacles. Then came The Flood.
I'm not talking in the biblical sense, but in the literal.
On February 22nd we had what I've heard called both a "100 year" and a "500 year" flood in our neighborhood and in many places in our community. (It's amazing to live by the river, until it's not!) We were actually among the lucky ones, only losing the contents of our basement. Others lost everything. In the course of about 12 hours the river rose by feet. It was absolute chaos. Something out of a bad movie. Firemen knocking on our door at 11 p.m. telling us that we were being evacuated. Boats saving people from the back of the neighborhood. The Red Cross bringing food in the following days. And (amazing and wonderfully) the community coming together, along with relief services, helping everyone clean out and begin to build again. (You haven't lived until you hear a whole crew of Amish workers whistling while ripping out everything that existed in your basement.)
We only returned to our house permanently as of yesterday. It has been an exhausting and overwhelming month. I'd like to say that coming home was the end of that, but it's only the beginning. Now we wander through what I call Habitrails of boxes and stacks of things salvaged through the 12 hours of rising water. (We worked through the night and into the next day trying to save what we could, until the water was reaching the highest electrical plug which kept the pumps running. Once we had to turn off that remaining bit of hope, we knew it could all be lost.)
The day after the flood, coming back, we honestly didn't know if the house would be under water, or if it had reached the main floor. We were so incredibly lucky. The water stopped coming in at just under 6 ft. Not quite to the rafters in the basement.
I'm not sure you know how huge that is. We had an olympic swimming pool in our basement, BUT we didn't have to rip out everything in the main level. (sigh of relief...)
So, this is why my posts, my art, my photography, my writing and my "normal" ceased to exist after that day...and why it and I will probably be somewhat absent in the future.
I am slowly beginning to sketch again, and I dug out acrylics, a pad of good paper, and a tiny space so I can have my creative outlet. I'll share as much as I can. It's my own little bit of sanity.
Therapy. Far from perfect, but a few minutes spent remembering what brings me peace.
Wishing you all a beautiful spring! (It's so good to hear the birds returning, and to feel the ice of winter slowly fading. I know I shouldn't wish my life away, but I wasn't a fan of winter before, now I crave warm sunshine.)
