Family in the Flood: The Margin of Giving
In the first few days since being displaced by the flood our family has been focusing on how to live in a land of limbo. Last Thursday we were so thankful to find a pet-friendly hotel room in Calgary where we regroup and try to stabilize our family. We also had the joy of having my parents come to help us get organized and give our 3.5 yr old son a bunch of love and attention. Gary was still helping at the High River Fire Dept almost everyday, and we were anxiously waiting for news on our homes, business and town. There were alot of tears.
Once the reality started to set in that we would not be able to return to our RV/home for a long time we started to shift into looking at long term living options and replacing our living essentials.
The twist in our story is that on June 1 Gary and I bought a house in the SE part of town, close to the Sobey’s grocery store, and were 3 weeks into our renovation. Luckily our basement and main floor were essentially empty, aside from some tools, supplies and appliances and thankfully most of our household items were in storage. Unfortunately the RV we had planned to live in all summer, while renovating the house, was damaged in the flood. Our personal items, clothes, toys and basic living essentials were all in the bus.
Many of our friends and neighbors were not so lucky and have some heart-wrenching days ahead when they learn which personal/sentimental items have been taken by the floods.
So in this land of limbo we needed help. As everyone in our town found a safe place to sleep and recovered some basics to live I started to witness the power of the Margin of Giving. I have learnt that everyone has something to give, and when we pool our emotional, financial, material and hospitality resources hearts can be mended, chaos can be stabilized.
Here are some of the larger general examples of people helping out:
Over 15,000 secured shelter in homes, billets, hotels, shelters that first night.
Friends and strangers offered us homes, and trailers to live in.
Hotels gave discounts, kennels boarded animals.
Thousands of dollars donated from the public and private sector.
Emergency personnel have been working around the clock in High River and other areas securing flood zones.
More specifically I have seen:
The Nanton Emergency Shelter staffed by the most hard-working and loving Hutterite colony families from the area, with constant smiles and warmth on their faces.
The folks at Neighbour Link providing pillows, bedding, clothing, toys, food, toiletries and so much more.
Friends lending us things like a suitcase to put our items in, taking the dog the the off-leash park, a home-cooked meal, a place to park our trailer, extra maternity clothes and baby items, new blankets and household items even.
Money donations, and benefit concerts.
A dad and his two daughters ride their horses through the Nanton campground each evening to let the kids ride/pet the horses.
Hundreds of hugs, shared tears and hours of prayer.
Not one person could provide all of these needs, not even one ministry or community could do this, but when everyone gives a little out of the extra they have our family’s needs were met to overflowing. We thank you from the very bottom of our hearts, I have been humbled and blessed beyond anything I could imagine.
I hope to share more stories and some photos of folks as we continue to clean up and rebuild. Thank you for your interest and care!
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