Ah...sweet Duluth! How we love you!
This past week, the city of Duluth, a town that sits on the edge of Lake Superior, has had torrential rains, which lead to a disaster of horrible epic. Highways were washed out and closed, city streets are no longer streets, but giant canyons in which cars have fell into. Houses have been washed off their foundations and roads that weren't washed away have turned into a roller coaster of broken chunks of asphalt and ditches. Ah, sweet Duluth...what has happened to your once proud stature?
The cities down river from Duluth are now being evacuated as massive amounts of water are racing throughout the state. The Mississippi River is expected to crest in the next few days up north, and by the time it hits the Twin Cities, hopefully the rage will have steadied a bit. However, we have had flooding in this part of the state as well, so flooding downriver from the twin towns will be a major concern also, albeit a planned one.
I am thinking of the many folks who have suddenly been displaced, without warning. At least when the Red River of the North floods, most springs in the past, they have days of notice at least and time to prepare: either sandbag or leave. In this case, there was maybe 45 minutes of notice and even that was not enough.
It got me to thinking, 45 minutes. What would you do if you had to make a serious life or death decision? There were some folks bemoaning the fact all of their belongings are now gone, while others said they were glad to just be out with their lives. I am sure the many who sat in bus coaches at the edge of town were thinking, too, how fortunate they were to at least still be alive. Just one weekend ago, my sister in law was in this same town for a half marathon. Who would have thought that in a few short days it would have been rendered to chunks of debris and canyons sprawling amidst such serious damage?
Today, please think about those less fortunate for whom life has cast them a sudden dramatic change from all they know and love. Floods, fire, illness, a death in their family, homelessness, job loss, we are NOT immune! Treat EACH DAY as if it were your last because you just don't know how long you have.
Neither do I.
you know, its either/or when it rains. The Sw and Colorado as well as Indiana could really use some of that water! :(
ReplyDeleteTouTube Nickleback, If Today was your LAST day,... and think on it and these situations...Hmmmmm....
ReplyDeletesame with the fires out West....you may think it'll go around then WHAM! you have maybe 10 minutes to just get out and when you return there is nothing but ashes and dust left. Goes to show that nothing is so valuable except you, your family and God, so you'd better make all three right before you die! Because as you said, we only have this moment and anything can happen!
ReplyDeleteIf today was your last day, what would you do?
ReplyDeletethis blog and the one a couple of days ago should make you think....life is too short to play games, so keep the ones you love and who love you as close as possible. Don't use people as weapons against each other. For instance, "do it MY way or you can't see your grandkids!" F that sh*t! Families are a safe haven, not a source of animosity! Its a sorrowful day when you stand at a graveside and wish you had done it differently.
ReplyDeletegood point, Amber! what if someone had died in this flood who had a conflict with someone they loved, but who didn't reciprocate that affection? As you pointed out: regrets forever.
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