Since Christmas I have had a few low periods. My normal evening dog walking friend, B, was in Bali. The shops were shut most of the time and it was raining. Life had begun to drag. I spent New Year's Eve on my own probably for the first time ever and actually went to bed at 9.00pm only to be wakened by fireworks at midnight!
A couple of evenings ago I was sitting in my comfortable leather recliner chair, following a good dinner and sipping on a glass of wine watching the TV. They were showing extensive coverage of the Queensland floods. They are devastating.
Queensland is a big state - even bigger than Texas. The floods actually affect an area bigger that Texas. They have been going on for over a week now and some areas are still awaiting the flood peak. They are affecting little towns such as Theodore where the whole population has been evacuated and wont be back home for a week. Bigger towns such as Bundaberg are just beginning to assess the damage. I visited there during my break back in September it was a pleasant town. Now big towns such as Rockhampton , where I waited for a bus a few weeks ago is completely cut off. There are over a dozen rivers in flood and numerous other areas affected.
What we are now beginning to see is the effects of the floods on every day life. Some houses have been completely inundated and are effectively destroyed while others have just a metre of water go through them. These are worse. Most modern homes in Australia are brick vernier. That is they have brick outside walls but the main structure is timber framed with the interior clad with Gyprock which doesn't like being under water. It all has to be stripped our and replaced. So most people are coming home to normal looking homes which are centimetres deep in mud, with ruined belongings and spoilt food in the fridge and to find then unliveable.
As the flooded areas are designated flood plains many are not insured and will rely on charities and Government hand outs to get back on their feet. I wont dwell on their plight but it puts mine in perspective.
I am missing Margaret and I am still traumatised by her terrible death but this is easing but I have a good home, sufficient money to live well, a lovely faithful dog, Louis and good friends and family. I am also intelligent enough to know that it will take time to accept that my life with Margaret is over and to get on with a new life.
The poor people who have lost their homes, personal possessions and in some cases there livelihoods need help and compassion not me!
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