Flood Fears

You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

I remember the flood of 1997 though I was fairly detached. I had not yet started working for my current employer and so did not travel the way I do now. The names of the towns were often foreign. These photos are taken today just outside of Brunkild. In 1997, this is where the famous old car dykes were used. Today, I felt like I was looking at a lake instead of a prairie. So many people are holding their breath, wondering what the next few days will bring. You can only accept what comes with courage and your best self. There have already been a couple of flood related deaths here and that saddens me. No one needs that added burden in a time like this where the stress is already high.

In 1997, I volunteered with the Habitat for Humanity Flood Recovery Teams. I remember one Saturday morning, going just outside of Winnipeg, to a house that had been damaged by the water. An old woman lived in this particular old house. We were tearing apart the house because of the mould damage. The insulation was made of sawdust. I had never seen that before. I also remember the sadness that woman felt at having lost so much because of the flood.

My back has been acting up again so I have not been able to assist with the sandbagging efforts but I sure hope those who can help, will. As I drove around southern Manitoba today, I sensed things might be ok for the most part, but a rainy day or some freak event could change all of that for some of these folks. The water is less than a foot from the tops of bridges. It won’t take much to change the outcome. All we can do is to think positively and send prayers for those who need it.

Peace,

Suzanne