“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
I am haunted by waters.” Norman Maclean
On Monday, I passed by Salt Creek at Fullersburg Woods on my way home. The water was running swiftly, the sun was brilliant, warming the April air, and swales of daffodils and Siberian squill blanketed the earth around the Graue Mill. My undisciplined self could not help but to turn off of the road I was on, park the car, pull out my camera, and wander a bit in the luxury of Spring’s emerging carpet. Little did I know, at that same moment, what horrors were occurring in Boston, nor how the small town of West in Texas would become so explosively devastated a few days later, or how these very same waters I crossed would soon rise, bringing their own destruction and revealing their own dark secrets as more than six inches of rain pummeled the area.
This was a haunting week that tried our souls, brought out the measure of many, the evil of some, and both the beauty and the brutality of nature and of man. A week most of us will not soon forget. A week that reminds us to hang on tight to our roots and to all things that are good, to hold our loved ones close and live our fullest in each and every moment we are given.
Those are some of my favorite words. I tear up every time I read or hear them, Penny.
It is hard to understand weeks like this one. I’ve been pulling MTM closer in recent days.
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They are so rich, aren’t they Andra. His prose reads like poetry.
I know. These times are so hard to understand. It was such a heavy week, wasn’t it?
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Here’s to a week (at least) of love and light.
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Amen, Andra. Amen.
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This last week made me sad one minute and proud of some brave people the next. It has been an example of “man’s inhumanity to man” to the extreme. I was concerned about you on the cutoff, not knowing if the flood reached you. I am happy to know you are safe. I think I’ve seen it all and then things like this happen. Time now to reflect, try and find forgiveness, and be the best we can to who and what we hold dear.
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It was a week that certainly played with all our emotions, didn’t it? You’re so right, Marilyn, so much has been about man’s inhumanity to man.
We are safe here, for which I am grateful. All around us, others are dealing with flooded basements, water up to their doors, being stranded. Most of the state has been declared disaster. I do appreciated your concern, Marilyn. Stay safe.
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Amen to your final sentences, Penny. Obviously we across the Atlantic aren’t as intimately involved as you with these dreadful tragedies, but the events in Boston and West have dominated the news channels here too. I pray for healing for all concerned.
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It is always hard to watch such things, even from afar, Perpetua. It has been such a tragic and long week. Prayers for healing are what we all need to do. What brought a smile to my face was your lovely post about your most fitting birthday present and the little adventure in memories it brought to you.
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This week has been nightmarish, but as we see a minority with the worst attributes of human nature, we see a majority of humanity that have acted with courage, kindness, and selflessness.
As the water poured down both in your area and ours, the lakes, rivers and ponds have filled. The Illinois, at Beardstown, is expected to crest at 30 feet on Sunday. The highest ever recorded. The lazy Sangamon River is out of its banks and twice as wide as usual. The Spoon River is out of its banks and flooding small towns. From last year’s drought to this years floods, the water connects us all whether meandering slowly or rushing out of control.
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You are so right, Janet. So many stories have emerged of such courage and kindness that arose out of such horrors.
I love how you have connected all the rivers in their different moods and how they flow through our lives. It is amazing how much of Illinois has been impacted by the rain. We have the Des Paines, Salt Creek, Chicago and Fox, and they are all cresting at records, but, 30 feet is almost Biblical in scope!
Here is to a better week, for it is spring and spring does bring hope.
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What a terrible week for all of you. I have really felt for everyone as I’ve listened to the news. Holding to beauty can be a challenge at these times, and yet it is part of life too. This is a very strong post, beautifully written, Penny. Thank you.
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It has been filled with horrors across the land here, but, as many stories of goodness and courage have come out of them all. Thank you, Juliet.
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Penny, a sad, beautiful post. It has been a strange and rather terrible week in which our traditional villains have not played a part, but wild cards have claimed the lives of many. Just awful. I hope a little joy creeps into the news this week.
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I think that the joy is starting to creep in. From each disaster and tragedy out of a week that seemed to overflow with such news, there are stories of heroic acts of bravery and kindness. The worst in mankind often brings out the best in mankind. Today, I need to take a little walk in the sunshine and breath in the air. Thank you, dear Kate.
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Absolutely true, Penny. I have good friends in Boston and another not too far from West, Texas. I have been thankful all week for their safety and tearful at the loss to others. I cancelled plans this weekend, not at all to avoid crowds or because of the almost over-hyped “safety and security” talk being thrown about on the local level, but because I was just mentally tired. I wanted to be home and quiet and to give thought to what is important–as well as what is not! What a lovely post, my friend. Sad and poignant, and yet lovely.
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It was such a week for emotions, wasn’t it? I share that fatigue, Debra. I finally had to turn off the television, radio, computer and just be still for a bit. I can only imagine those who are coping personally with all these events.
Thank you, Debra.
Here’s to a better week for the world, healing, and compassion. “Talk” to you soon.
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A wonderful post, Penny. I agree with your observations and insights. Beautifully stated by you!
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Thank you, Sunday. Let’s hope for better days.
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You — and your commenters — have said it all so well Penny. The little blue flowers are such a sweet omen of spring and rebirth and hope for a brighter future. That’s all we can do.
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They are a sweet omen, Sallie. I like that image very much. Let us all hope.
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