It's really hard to come back and post about the mundane things I post about here on my blog after our city and surrounding areas have been through the worst natural disaster in over 30 years. I have been stalling and not really wanting to post about anything.
I have been out to some of the worst affected areas and I have helped in my own small way. It is really awful and probably worse than you can imagine. I feel guilty because we weren't flooded. I feel sad and absolutely scared for the people who have lost everything. The elderly couple I met on the weekend have lost everything and it is just so hard to imagine how they will get over this. I think it is the elderly I feel most sadness for as the young ones have time and the ability to recover but the elderly don't.
Everyone I know has in some way given to those affected. I am proud to be a Queeslander and I am proud to be part of such a caring, giving and generous community of people. This week I will be posting about some of the wonderful ways we can help via donating to certain charities as I have been asked by so many of you living interstate and overseas.
It is time to move on, help rebuild our city and our neighbour's lives. It will be very hard but with the response we've seen in the last few days, I think we have it in us to do great things. I for one will do everything I can to help this week, next week and the coming months which lie ahead.
image - leanne shapton artist
40 comments:
Dear Anna, My thoughts and prayers are with you All. The inspiration is in the help and the prayers that follow that will bring strength and calm, I hope. xox
Beautifully said Anna.
i cannot imagine how you all must feel being there in the midst of all of this... it is so terribly sad...
i am so glad you were not directly in danger and have been praying for all those in need.
my thoughts are with you... and all of your friends...
xx pam
Hi Anna, I admire your spirit- and that of your community. I can't imagine how tough it must be to recover from something like this, but it sounds like you Queenslanders will indeed be able to do great things. My heart goes out to all those who are impacted directly and indirectly.
All my best,
Jeanne
I'm glad you are okay. I've been reading your blog for about a year now and my heart goes out to those affected by the flood. We lost our house to a terrible flood here in the Philippines last 2009 too but we have already recovered and moved to a safer place.
Anna,
You have an amazing spirit.
I remember the feeling of guilt and helplessness after a disaster here in the states. And I had wished at the time, and still do today, to understand what more I could have done to help, what else I was supposed to accomplish with the life I had managed to maintain, and why, oh why, did I come out so clean from all the sadness and devistation that surrounded me? The reality is, I don't think I'll ever know, you may not get your answers either. However, you should know that people are thinking of you, because, I know I have. Know that people enjoy your pride, because I know I do. And know that people are inspired by you, because I know I am.
You should be proud.
Shelley H
Anna, I wish so much I could be there to help!
The image is beautiful and is a sign of a better life that is to come.
Be sure to come and enter my gorgeous Giveaway from Blydesign......
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Dear Anna:
My heart is with you all. If only I were closer so my hands could help as well.
Mary Anne oxox
I'm not sure how I found your blog, but I honestly feel like it was a God thing. I'm from Mississippi in the United States and my family lost everything in Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It was so impossible to think of things going back to normal and I remember thinking that outside people just didn't understand because it had such a big effect on me and our family. It's going to be a hard time, but God used it for all kinds of good in our community. Our small town has come back 10 times better (even in a bad economy) structurally but also emotionally. Friendships that would have never happened blossomed because of the tragedy. Know that we in America are praying for you and your country, and it will get better!
Hallie Darphin
My email is Darphin@mc.edu. Feel free to contact me.
Us Queenslanders need to stick together and pull through.
Glad to know you are okay.
When you are ready to get back in to the swing of things, I have nominated you for the Stylish Blogger Award. See here: http://flyinfoff.blogspot.com/2011/01/stylish-blogger-award.html
Hi Anna - I feel for you in this tough time. Can't imagine how awful it must be. Don't underestimate your beautiful blog though - it does wonders for lifting the spirits!
It's a terrible time for our country and we have shown once again how wonderful australian people are. Everyone is helping in anyway they can, the aussie spirit is just fantastic.
I have learnt from personal experience that unfortunately there are going to be events in life that will change the way we are completely - no doubt this is one of them.
I hope you are ok Anna.
I've dedicated you a post on my blog. I think you are a wonderful ambassador for australian design :))
It's a terrible time for our country and we have shown once again how wonderful australian people are. Everyone is helping in anyway they can, the aussie spirit is just fantastic.
I have learnt from personal experience that unfortunately there are going to be events in life that will change the way we are completely - no doubt this is one of them.
I hope you are ok Anna.
I've dedicated you a post on my blog. I think you are a wonderful ambassador for australian design :))
Awh, this breaks my heart! My heart goes out to you and those in your community. You have a great outlook on this horrible situation. Keep your spirits up!! xoxo
Its a terrible thing that is effecting so many people. Here in Victoria we have huge swathes of small townships almost washed away over the space of hundreds of square kilometres.
If you can bring yourself to post about beautiful spaces, maybe you might inspire some of those who have lost a lot.
Spot on Anna. It is the older folk I feel most for.
Ana,
Fica aqui nossa solidariedade do Brasil.
Espero que em breve todos possamos estar mais felizes.
Coragem!
Hi Anna,
I so agree with your beautifully written post, I have an idea and I'm hoping you may be interested in being involved the details are on my blog x
Brisbaine and Australia has been in my thoughts and prayers. Happy for you that Black & Spiro is in tact.
I have a frivolous question... The art by Leanne Shapton..
Can it be purchased? It is stunning.
I am so sorry about what has happened. It is so tragic. And a bit surreal too. I am happy you are safe and your compassion and humanity speak loud and clear, you will no doubt put yourself to good use in helping out however you can. I will keep those affected in my prayers.
So long as you all know we're not just supporting you in the short term, we'll care for a really long time, until it's all fixed up, inside & out. Love Posie
Thinking and praying for you all. xo
Anna,
Part of life is about choice. We have the power to decide to truly live our lives not according with our scars, but with how well they're healed.
It will take some time, some more time for some people and less time for others. But it will get better and it's already starting to to many. The harder part is when you lost someone you love. That's where my heart aches and my prayers go to.
I'm happy that you're being positive about it. That's the way to go!
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
Ditto Anna I am so proud to be living in this great state of Queensland the people have just blown me away with how every one has pulled together, I miss Brissy so much & am so sad I could not be there to help, but I know I can in other ways I have just joined the QLD flood appeal Auction there are some great items out there to bid on from some talented people its so great its all going to a good course. :)
My elderly parents recently moved from France to the North of NSW to live near my sister (she married an Aussie). My mother tells me every day how impressed she is by the generosity, helpfulness and discipline of people volunteering in the disaster struck areas. You can be proud!
I lived in an area that was, after I moved, devastated by a hurricane. It took almost 2 years for people to get back in their homes but, despite their early plans, almost everyone stayed on the Island. I'm amazed at the emotional and physical resilience of people- even the elderly who in some ways are ready to divest themselves of physical objects and live in a more cerebral way. I hope you can realize that your work brings beauty and renewal everyday and may be even more important to your countrypeople at this point.
Thank you for sharing your story. In canada, we only have the media accounts and it has been really touching reading about what is happening to the people in your community. I read this post and couldn't help thinking that your community is lucky that you did not have much damage from the flood because it has enabled you to reach out and help those who did loose everything. Keep up the fight, jennie from Canada
In the face of so much suffering, it is hard not to feel guilty and helpless. We in the states went through similar feelings when Katrina devastated so much of the south. My heart and prayers go out to all.
My heart goes out to you and your community. I can't even begin to understand what this has been like for you. Nevertheless I am glad to hear you are okay. You have such a beautiful heart..Be encouraged.
Thinking of you all x
I am so sorry about all the tragedies that have been happening where you live. I can only imagine how hard it must be.
I will be praying for you, along with many of the other bloggers out there.
I know what you mean...I'm from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and we've been through the same thing this last week. One can only hope that people help out as much as possible the ones in need!
xx
mariannejunqueira.blogspot.com
inboxartefatos.blogspot.com
Here in Canada, we have heard on the news about all the flooding, but your blog has brought the tragedy to life for me. I am saddened to here of the losses and hope that the rebuilding can start soon.
I know what you mean Anna ... it is clean up time here in Rockhampton as well and many people still feeled stunned. I am going to try and donate furniture and funds locally but I would really like to help in Brisbane as well to donate for the flood relief. Just let me know.
best wishes
Frances
Thinking of those up north down here on Sydney's Northern Beaches
Anna,
I appreciate your posts over the past week about the floods. It felt like a personal update on the news and made the tragedy more "real" for me, vs. reading the headlines here in the U.S. The story about the young boy who lost his life to save his brother's still haunts me. I'm interested to read your future posts on how we can help with donations. God bless!
You have all left such lovely, heartfelt comments. Thank you for your kind words. I too feel for those in Brazil...so many horrible things happenning in our world right now...
Thanks again and it's so great to see so many brisbane bloggers going to such lengths to donate and organise auctions and baking and food drop-offs.
I lived in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and know the feeling. So many people read your blog that you should blog about the flooding and create as much awareness as possible.
Kindest regards,
Leah Grier
Hi Anna,
My heart is with you all, and am posting blog sites on my blog post right now that are doing things for the recovery effort. I will add yours as a connection for others to hear your story...xx..julia
I've been thinking a lot about you and hoping you and your family are OK. Thank you for sharing your community's story.
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