Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Natural Disasters
I've been to Moncton, twice, in the past few days. Driving along beside the beautiful Saint John River and seeing the remnants of the flood left me feeling in awe of the mighty force of this river that once, just a few short weeks ago, moved houses and trees and forced people out of their beloved homes. Today, this magnificent river looks so harmless ... so gentle and calm. However, echoes of destruction remain. In some places, the shoulders of the road are washed away. In other places, huge piles of garbage and debris have been gathered, standing as a testament to once was. Not so readily visible are the people who are still recovering and perhaps some who may never. Now, the land is draining and the farmers are preparing to plant their crops on one of the most fertile pieces of land in New Brunswick. Once again something good is coming from disaster. Can you think of a time when you've experienced something good from something awful?
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Well, the only thing that came to my mind was the loss of my grandmother. I wouldn't call it awful but in a way sad. My grandmother and I built a strong bond with each other. We could talk about anything and she taught me well with morals and values, especially to go to church and to pray. When she died this past year I expected to cry and hurt but ironically, I was not crying but I felt relieved.(she died from parkinson's) She was strict but her firmness fit well with me. So, all the things that we have shared together through the years felt as if she was still alive when she died. In my heart I knew she was still alive when others were weeping for her because at one time she explained death to me and when it was time for her to go, I was already prepared for her passing. It's hard to explain, to me it wasn't a loss, it was a gain! There are days I miss seeing her but that doesn't mean she is not with me. So, good had come from my grandmother's death. The teachings and lessons she taught me and to pass on to my children and grandchildren.
wow...that really makes me think about life and the effects of someone whom you love passes on. Thanks Cora on your insight of something bad happening and how you see it as a positive. I enjoyed reading this and comparing to how I relate to this type of disaster. Like you stated their always there........
I remember a time in the 1990's when I had a cousin going to school in LA, when there was an earthquake (a big one). I remember being home and hearing the news and then watching tv, and seeing all that was happening! We sat for days without hearing of his where abouts. THen finally that call came.. he was alive and good. It took so long because where he was phone lines were down. Back then Internet was not all what it is today. We just had to sit and wait until we got the phone call. Its a feeling you never forget. When things like that happen in your family you take and look life in a different way. All good comes out of something bad, you just need to be open minded to see it.
About 10 years ago, I experienced one of the biggest ice storm's that happened in Quebec. The good that I would say that we learned about it, is that family is two fast paced in the world today and having to live like the old days with no electricity and not really being able to go anywhere, helped bond us and with nothing to do we sat around and listened to old stories and new ones. The kids were able to get along and amuse themselves without tv or video games. I think in one way it was a great experience!
I remember a time when our community experienced something awful. It was a June day in 1981 when hoards of Quebec police invaded our home in order to prevent us from fishing. It was pure police brutality.
The good that came of it though, is what we have today. Our people fish as our ancestors did, and we manage our own conservation program.
It’s sad though, that we always have to fight to protect our rights.
Two experiences came to mind when I was considering this question.
The first was my father’s death. Just like Cora, I too missed him very much, but I knew he was always with me so I wasn’t sad for long. Whenever I need him, I just let him know. I truly feel he is a positive force watching over me and my family.
The other experience that stood out in my memory was the raid on Listuguj. I was in middle school that day the raid occurred and an announcement over the school intercom directed all the Mi’gmaq kids to the cafeteria. We were told by the principal that the bridge was closed and that we couldn’t make it home. I was 11 years old. We were later returned home by bus but it was a scary ordeal. My dad use to take us in the van to the exits of our community and there we’d see Surete du Quebec police cars blocking the roads with hundreds of police officers in riot gear standing there ready. It was a time that will forever be ingrained in my mind. But like Lorna said, the positive results were that the government learned they couldn’t deny our peoples inherit right to fish and we manage the conservation of the salmon.
Something very personal happened to me a few months ago. I had a miscarriage. It was a time of despair because this was my first time getting pregnant after trying for so many years. My husband was a great support and so was my family. I got through it fine, but the pain of losing something was still there. After learning my sister was also pregnant, I became jealous and very angry. I thought to myself, was God punishing me for something I did, or did I not deserve to have a child? Those were the questions that went through my mind. A few months later, Brielle was born and she was the most beautiful baby ever. I soon realized that the hurt and the pain had stopped as this new baby was in my life and that was the one good thing that came out of this situation. I quickly learned that I shouldn't be angry with God or my sister, but to accept that these things happen for a reason.
Everything that has entered my life, I believe is for a higher good. I believe it is though the tough times that I learn the most. Whether it was; my tough child hood, my drunk driving in 1991 or the loss of family members, I have always tried to see what inner growth, teaching that I can use to help others , or how they can be used to make me a wiser, stronger person.
It is the process of trial and error. Good, in most cases, has been from something performed over and over and performed until it is done right. There are a lot of mistakes I have made that at first it seemed I wouldn't get over, but I learned and now continue to try to better. I am also a firm believer that things happen for a reason, so anything bad that does happen, I try to let take its toll, and then try to learn from it and use it to my advantage for the better.
I agree, everything happens for a reason whether it be good or bad, there is hope that we take everything that hits us and we try to make the best of it, we really don't have any choice in the matter, we are here for how long we don't know, but while were here we have to endure whatever comes are way and live life to it's fullest.
i have not personally been in a disaster that i could write about, although, i have known people that were affected by this years raging waters of the St. John River Valley. these people have lost thier homes and if they are not insured then they have lost alot. it seems as though you only see things like this on CNN, but the reality is that you never know what to expect these days with all the global warning happening today. just look at the tornadoes and earthquakes that are happening around the world, often enough, people tend to say "oh i feel for those families in that situation", but do we really know how these people feel. i mean they lost houses, cars, and aticles that can't be replaced, but most of all they have lost fathers, mothers, daughters, and sons. these are percieved to be life changing natural distasters that can't be helped. it is so heart trenching to actually see people in the world go through such horrendous situations.
I have not experieced a natural disaster, thankfully. I've had friends who have experienced them, such as the Ice Storm in Montreal, the earthquake in California some years back.
I have friends who live just outside of Montreal and when I heard their stories, I was so saddened by it. Hearing their experiences and telling their story of survival, for example, huddling in front of a small stove, really left an impact on me. We take so many things for granted, such as electricity and food.
It really makes you think about how stable our infrastrure is and how easily it can collapse.
When I think of something good from something awful, it makes me think of community unity. When there is a natural disaster or when a community member is in need. The community knows when to pull together, put all differences aside, and help one another. It makes me think of a time when a member of my community lost his home by a fire. I don’t know if this qualifies as a natural disaster but the community pulled together and helped out the community member who lost his home and all of his belongings. He received donations; people helped him and his family. People opened up their homes to them. It’s too bad that it takes a disaster to have the community come together as one to help each other.
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