June 27, 2008
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i got to help out with flood relief yesterday.
and returned with two purple knees.
we watch the news and say how sad. we feel bad and wish our own problems would go away too. and go on. but Cassie stood up at church and said anyone who wanted to help with flood relief in Columbus could. darn. an opportunity to do something about the stuff i normally just feel bad for. and i had a day to do it too. ran out of reasons not to. and so i did.
pulled out insulation from the bottom of trailer homes. with 9 other people. wearing body suits and goggles and masks and layers of sweat. it was good stuff. crawling around in mud, bagging up pink mush that held water like old dirty diapers.
heard stories. about people who watched the water come in, feeling hopeless. one couple ran out with their baby, but forgot about the dogs in the cage. the water went up five feet, drowning the dogs. i saw the insides of cars with mud encasing the gearshift.
disasters are surreal. you can’t place them. they come beyond anything you can imagine and plan for.
i heard about people. people who give their lives to help others in disasters. who appear like angels in hell. i heard stories about Katrina. Cassie is going to Iowa next. and then on to the next place. there are people out there…people who live to give. and it is beautiful.
Kenny and Cassie
