Hurricane Irene
- September 04, 2011
- Category: Daily Diary
- (13) Comments
First, I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to email us or leave us a comment checking on us. You touched our hearts.
Hurricane Irene was supposed to hit our part of Vermont and we were all prepared but at the last moment, it changed course and instead visited destruction elsewhere. No, nothing happened to us here. For a couple of days, we were without an internet connection and television so we weren’t aware of all that was happening. While I was busy being thankful we were spared, I had no idea about just how much of Vermont was destroyed. When I saw the pictures of the damage and heard about the lives lost, I was overwhelmed with sadness. I couldn’t bring myself to blog and share trivialities about our farm and our life while so much of Vermont lay in ruins. No, it’s time to take action to help others.
There are many ways to help Vermont. Volunteer opportunities abound for those who live nearby. Maybe you can’t spend the day working here but perhaps you live close enough to offer to temporarily offer housing to horses who have lost their barns and their pastures. If you live far away and have even $10.00 to spare, numerous charities have set up special Vermont donation funds. You can find out about some of them by clicking HERE.
Perhaps you’d like something more tangible to show your support. The Independent Vermont Clothing Store has made a special “I’m With Vermont” t-shirt and magnet with proceeds from the sale going to The Red Cross. You can purchase a shirt or magnet by clicking HERE.
Compassion, it’s listed as an adjective in the dictionary with the definition “a sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress along with a desire to alleviate it.”
I would challenge each and every one of you that it’s not enough just to be sympathetic to others’ distress. We must each act in any way we can, whether small or large, to step outside of ourselves, reach out to others and help.
I’d like to leave you with this quote.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill
Thanks everyone for visiting us. I do know I have kindest readers in the blogging world.
Glad to hear that all was calm in your lovely part of Vermont. Unfortunately Mother Nature can weld a powerful punch and she constantly reminds us of that fact.
I have a daughter living and working in NYC and thankfully all was well in her neighborhood, they didn’t even lose power.
Thank the Lord for all His kindnesses, big and small.
Date: September 04, 2011
Sara, I’m glad to hear that you were spared from the Irene’s devastation. It is humbling to see the loss of others when you own loss is minimal. Isn’t it? My trips to devastated areas has changed how I look and things. It has given me a whole new perspective on the difference between what really is a need and what is only a want. From knowing you this last year, I have noticed that you have a very tender sensitive spirit which is good and bad. The good is that you always are sensitive toward others in their times of need, but it also can cause overwhelming emotional times. Thank you for still blogging through those times when you can. It’s refreshing to read thoughts from a truly genuine person.
Oh and by the way, thanks for adding my blog link onto your website. It has generated numerous views.
Many blessings to you and Carl and everything that you touch.
Date: September 04, 2011
As always you post from your beautiful heart with wonderful ideas for everyone to help. You are a shining beacon of kindness, caring and compassion. Thank you for being you. And for giving me links so I can help too.
Date: September 04, 2011
Hi Sara, I was saddened to hear that Vermont was one of the baddest hit in New England but I am very happy to hear you made out ok. Our area was hit pretty good and there is still some areas that have no power. My area of town was fortunate and we never lost power.
Date: September 04, 2011
I’m glad that you were spared.
Date: September 04, 2011
Sara, I’m so glad to know you’re okay! I was thinking about you and hoped you were spared.
Date: September 04, 2011
Sara, I’m so glad you’re okay. I was thinking about you and hoped that you were spared damage.
Date: September 04, 2011
Glad to know that you are ok- New Englanders have grit! They’ll overcome.
Date: September 04, 2011
I agree, having compassion is caring enough to help. Since combining our July/August comments, we had more than enough to provide the goat through Heifer International so donated the extra amount to Samaritan’s Purse to help those hard hit by Hurricane Irene. So glad it missed you!
Date: September 05, 2011
I’m glad you are okay!! Gees, that was awful, wasn’t it? I was worried about you and all of my friends at Red Pine Mtn!
Date: September 05, 2011
Good news, indeed for y’all at least. We didn’t get rain with Irene and wanted/needed it desperately. We did get rain Sunday til just a bit ago…sun is shining and the thirsty earth looks sated for now.
The torrential rains have knocked our i-net and land line phone so I’m at the library taking a lovely break from farm chores.
Date: September 06, 2011
I’m just getting caught back up with you and so glad you both are safe! It’s raining here….again!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Date: September 06, 2011
Life is so precarious and these storms make us all that much more aware. When I was in New Orleans for my 45 year nursing scool reunion earlier this year, I could not believe how much devastation still remains from Hurricane Katrina. So many homes remain boarded up and so many families have still not been able to return and probably never will. They lost everything in that storm.
It seems like there have an unending series of disasters, both in our own country and abroad. We have to be compassionate and reach deep down to help each other, even if we have very little ourselves. There is always someone in even worse a predicament than we are.
Date: September 11, 2011