I was born in Southwest Iowa and raised in Northwest Missouri. If you’ve seen the news lately, you will know that Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri are all underwater.
I’ve got to be honest with you here, seeing all those pictures of the “ocean’ that is engulfing the small towns, farms, and livelyhood of my family and friends that live in that area, yanks my heart and causes my tears to fall.
But here’s the thing, we are resiliant. I may not live in that area anymore, but it is still home. Yesterday, there was a New York Times article about Hamburg Iowa. I was born in Hamburg Iowa and my folks still live not to far from there in the town where I was raised. When “home” is hurting, it hurts.
When I read this beautiful post of Faye’s yesterday, I asked her “please, please, please may I reblog this?” Her words about Nebraskans are how I feel about so many people in all the areas affected by the flood. Kindness and being neighborly doesn’t stop at the state lines up there. Everything Faye says here is also true about people in Southwest Iowa and Northwest Missouri.
Thank you, Faye, for letting me share your insights, compassion, and love. I am so proud of where we are from and I want people to know it.
PS Mom and Dad, wanted you to read this.
What a difference a week can make! Last week at this time we were watching flood waters rise, snow melt at an alarming rate and pumping water away from the house. This morning we sat on the deck in the sunshine and enjoyed the warmth immensely.
Our river is making it’s way back into the banks where it should be, ice bergs are turning dirty and look lonely in the middle of fields. The ice jam on the river has made it’s way downstream and I have a tulip blooming in a pot.
I am reminded of the fact that downstream all is not well and won’t be for a very long time. Nebraska is suffering greatly. Ranchers have lost herds, ground and are overwhelmed. Entire towns have been submerged with ice floes inside buildings where people used to gather. Wells have been compromised so water restrictions are in place…
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Unmeasured Journeys 
It is hard to watch flooding and devastation anywhere in this world. We have had much flooding here in Arkansas the last two years. The poor farmers are still counting their losses from flooding and still trying to wait for wet fields to dry so they can plant. May God bless all those who are suffering and have lost their homes to flood waters, tornadoes or any natural disaster.
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Hi. Flood damage sure long lasting. So many are hurting from weather related issues. Are you by Pocahontas? I remember when that big flood went through there.
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Not near Pocahontas – near Searcy.
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Oh that’s right! I think I asked you that same question a year or two ago. Ha ha. We moved and are about an hour north of Pocahontas.
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It’s good that people help each other as much as they can!
But I didn’t know about any of this as, unfortunately, it’s not reported by the pess over here. The situation is terrible. My heart goes out to everyone who’s affected. ♥
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Hi sweetie. Thank you for reading and commenting. It’s crazy how much water went through and how much there still is. I have friends from high school whose homes and farms that look like they’re sitting in the middle of lakes. It’s unreal. My brother’s town in Iowa can’t use their water system so they have to boil it and have it brought in. People are pulling together though. ❤️
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Floods are the worst…but everyone coming together to fill and stack sandbags and help others move their possessions and livestock to higher ground…that’s the best.
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Sooooooo true. People are really pulling together. It’s inspiring and reminds us of all the good in the world that often gets forgotten about!
Any water up your way?
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Thank you Jessica. Such a terrible situation for so many yet this post is full of gratitude.
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It is hard to imagine. I saw a picture today of one of my friends from high school’s farm. It is unreal. The barn, house, and silos are standing in water. I love what Faye said and how that even though there is true heartbreak, we will all pull through this. It’s going to be a long recovery and rebuild time. ❤️
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I’m so glad you reblogged this! It is such a touching post, and hopeful too. We need to be reminded what true community is, and that it still exists.
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Thank you. Couldn’t pass up a chance to share it. ❤️
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Thank you Jessica! I am also so proud to be from here! So proud of the caring and the spirit that we don’t have to wait to help….we can do it from where we are.
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