Excellent writing. So many feelings familiar of those first 2-3 days. Such a different world than the one I inhabited in Swannanoa. The war zone stayed with us and is still with us 3 weeks later. Except now, we are the bombed out shell of town after the enemy has moved on. Choppers, once search and rescue, are now search and recovery. Peoples’ belongings, their very lives piled with the rubble in front of or behind hollow houses beginning to creep with mold. The missing who will never be found, the ones some shocked fisherman will hang his hook on, at first thinking, oh, it’s a big ‘un! Then realization sets in and horror. There is despair for those who are older that they will not live to see this bend in the river heal into what it was. Others understand there is no going back. Everything becomes about what the future for Swannanoa holds. For now, if you want to actually eat food you couldn’t find in the store or cook yourself, it will have to be from Popeye’s Chicken or the pizza place that didn’t give way to the raging river which devoured all in its path. Nobody suffered the storm gladly, but some suffered a great deal more.
It is certainly a crazy and different world out there. Just as you describe, it is really so much to process, especially in Swannanoa. I hope you're hanging in there, Mendy! We'll keep leaning on each other to get through this.
Riah — Your narrative painted moments in my life in St. Petersburg, Florida for both Helene and Milton. I am a writer too but I have not been able to put my life into words, yet. You have helped me to start to process — like a serving of your pancakes without syrup; I am starting to feel connected, again. Thank you.
Debbie, this means so much to me! You are describing exactly what I always dream to do with my writing - connect with people and offer support in our collective processing experience. I'm so sorry to hear what you've been through in both hurricanes, but I hope you keep finding community to heal with and words to help you navigate the grieving journey.
Excellent writing. So many feelings familiar of those first 2-3 days. Such a different world than the one I inhabited in Swannanoa. The war zone stayed with us and is still with us 3 weeks later. Except now, we are the bombed out shell of town after the enemy has moved on. Choppers, once search and rescue, are now search and recovery. Peoples’ belongings, their very lives piled with the rubble in front of or behind hollow houses beginning to creep with mold. The missing who will never be found, the ones some shocked fisherman will hang his hook on, at first thinking, oh, it’s a big ‘un! Then realization sets in and horror. There is despair for those who are older that they will not live to see this bend in the river heal into what it was. Others understand there is no going back. Everything becomes about what the future for Swannanoa holds. For now, if you want to actually eat food you couldn’t find in the store or cook yourself, it will have to be from Popeye’s Chicken or the pizza place that didn’t give way to the raging river which devoured all in its path. Nobody suffered the storm gladly, but some suffered a great deal more.
It is certainly a crazy and different world out there. Just as you describe, it is really so much to process, especially in Swannanoa. I hope you're hanging in there, Mendy! We'll keep leaning on each other to get through this.
Riah — Your narrative painted moments in my life in St. Petersburg, Florida for both Helene and Milton. I am a writer too but I have not been able to put my life into words, yet. You have helped me to start to process — like a serving of your pancakes without syrup; I am starting to feel connected, again. Thank you.
Debbie, this means so much to me! You are describing exactly what I always dream to do with my writing - connect with people and offer support in our collective processing experience. I'm so sorry to hear what you've been through in both hurricanes, but I hope you keep finding community to heal with and words to help you navigate the grieving journey.
Wow, beautiful writing. Just beautiful.
Thank you so much, Jeanne!
thank you for sharing this, Riah. you are a compelling writer - don't stop. big hugs to you from across town.
Thanks, Hali! Right back at you!