Saturday, September 10, 2011

"It's just stuff"

Today on my facebook, in response to a friend's post, someone commented on the fires in Bastrop.  The post said, "It is hard to remember that stuff is just stuff".

Well, that is true, however. . . it tells me that this person has never lost everything they owned nor have they been there with others to see the devastating effects that a disaster leaves behind.  The trauma is only beginning for those affected by this disaster.

For many, insurance is a luxury (and in some disasters, insurance won't help anyway).  Sure, the mundane things of life can be replace;  a fingernail clipper, scissors, pens and pencils, all those things we use every day that we don't even think about.

It is a precious things that are missed - a picture of mom, a memento of the past, those things to which we attach fond memories - those are the things that cannot be replaced.  When Mr. Thornton is reminiscing he often starts to get up and then gets a strange look on his face as he says "oh that's right, I don't have it any more".

For the first time in his life Charlie has a bed that is all his own.  He is very attached to his bed, his pillow and his blankets.  For a little boy to lose his bed would be trauma that we couldn't imagine, to say nothing about the toys and games that he protects fiercely.

Since we have had fires all around us, I am packing a suitcase just in case.  I am making sure all the important documents have been returned to the fire safe box and wondering what other important things I should put in a box ready to go at a moment's notice.

No matter how we perceive ourselves - richer, smarter or more prepared for the unexpected, we can all say
"There but for the grace of God go I"

Until next time. . .
Stephanie