Marsha, I found your article in a comment that someone posted on Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper this morning. I live in California and have seen the devastating scenes of destruction from
Hurricane Helene on the news and in the paper. I haven’t heard/read someone’s personal experience of Hurricane Helene until I read your story right now. I am so very sorry for you and everyone on the East Coast who have suffered so much damage and loss, loss of property and especially the loss of lives. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I will gladly donate to your Go Fund Me. I’m glad that you are surrounded by a group of caring and helpful neighbors. I hope that new blessings come out of this disaster for you and everyone who has been affected by Hurricane Helene.
Also, I’m so sorry about the loss of your dear cat. I know how heartbreaking it is to lose a pet that you loved so much. I’m an animal lover and have three dogs, so my heart goes out to you. ❤️
Thank you, Colleen! This is so kind and gracious of you. We'll get through this. Everyone is being tested in very global and personal ways. Everyone is tense, even though we're safe. I'm working at keeping an open and compassionate heart and giving everyone grace and space. Thank you for your support from afar.
You have such a wonderful attitude, Marsha! I really like how you said that you’re working on having an open and compassionate heart and giving everyone grace and support. I needed to hear that today. I think this is something we all need in our lives. I will be keeping you and all people who have been affected by Hurricane Helene in my heart and prayers. ❤️🙏❤️
Emotional to hear about what you’ve both lost and gained through this life challenging and life affirming experience, Marsha. Sending hugs and healing vibes, and hope that new saplings grow from the seeds of the downed trees.
Marsha-- I'm in the EBI community, reading this. Reading your account of your experience really pulled me in. It's the mark of an excellent writer when I'm immersed without even realizing!
Such an unsettling time, but I appreciate how you are pulling out the glimmers of gratitude.
Naomi, thank you so much. I may steal your phrase, "glimmers of gratitude." You're right. Sometimes gratitude is elusive and we have to look for it. See you in EBI!
You are an inspiration to all going through this difficult time after the devastating hurricane. My heart goes out to you and your community and I’ve sent your story and Go fund me info to others. I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved cat and have gone through a similar experience a year ago. I went through a flood in 2016 and was displaced for several months with my 2 cats so I understand what you are experiencing in the aftermath…
I will look forward to reading more from you and I offer my support in any way I can help. Just know that you are loved and will come out on the other side of this journey with new strengths and abilities.. transformation is not for the faint of heart!
Barbara, ahh, a kindred spirit! I knew that when I read "Mom to … a beautiful tuxedo cat" in your profile. My remaining cat is an impish tuxedo, Arnie. Delight on four paws. Yes, nothing like a good existential crisis to force clarity. Thank you for your loving open heart.
Just catching up with your story, Marsha, ten days later. I'm so sorry you have to go through this! And how generous of your trees, to miss the structures when they fell. There could have been so much more damage! Glad you didn't have to deal with all that. Now, ten days later, I hope that the view ahead for you and your community looks doable, not overwhelming. And that goodwill among neighbors continues and the healing strengthens. What an amazing thing, that the emergency is knitting fractured relationships back together. Around the globe we're still thinking of you, still pulling for you all as you rebuild and restabilize.
Thank you, Priscila. It was indeed very generous of my trees. I feel cared for on a very different level. The long-term cleanup can seem overwhelming but we only have to look north to Asheville to see how overwhelming it could have been. People are still people and we will still have challenges. It's humbling to feel all the support coming our way. Thank you again.
Marsha, I found you through Laurel Bern. My heart goes out to you on the loss of your feline treasure. I lost two of my cavalier King Charles spaniels last year, and I still weep if I allow myself to go there. I am in Savannah GA where I have experienced more hurricanes than I care to count. Btw they told us that hurricanes never arrive here when we were searching for a home. I had a blog which I never figured out how to monetize, Jayne on Weed Street. I now write for a local publication. I love my assignment but it wouldn’t even pay for a week of groceries. I write a column for the Garden Club of Georgia, Inside the Garden Gate, and I do that gratis. Just an introduction to say that I support your efforts in an understanding way. I know your heartache and struggle. Having just finished clearing tree limbs and branches from our property, I feel for your sadness over your loss of venerable trees. A reading of Overstory has convinced me to pay new respect to the old live oaks, hickories and pines in my area. It hurts to see them go down. It hurts to lose our pets. May your hurt leave you day by day until you can bask in new shade of your surviving landscape.
Jayne, thank you for reaching out with such understanding. I can't imagine losing two beloved pets. I have "Overstory" on my reading list. And yes, I thought I was being smart by not moving near the coast to avoid hurricanes and into a temperate rainforest to avoid forest fires. Ha! Silly me. I keep reminding myself that Nature is no stranger to and doesn't avoid change. Thank you again.
Marsha, Marsha, Marsha. . . So sorry you're going through all this, and so glad it isn't worse. We were without power for 2 weeks after Hurricane Charley slammed Central Florida back in '04, but at least we had water during most of that time. It was amazing how our neighborhood came together afterwards to clean up the debris and help each other out, so I have some small notion of what you're experiencing up there on your mountain. I hope the grid gets restrung quickly, and that your neighbors continue to help and support each other.
Thank you. It doesn't appear that power restoration is going to move as quickly as anyone would like because the damage is so extensive. But the fall weather is gorgeous and I'm savoring every minute of it. Thank you!
sending a lot of love. I know the challenges of not having electricity, running water, transport, gas. I wanted to ask if you had a water filter. I know so much time i spent boiling water, and when there is low propane or electric it's an issue. We invested in : 40$ Sawyer Squeeze water filter. With proper care/backflushing/cleaning it's infinite gallons of purified water. Hope it will make life a little easier. We also have a small rocket stove which is great for water boiling, cooking and heat if you need it, I know there is plenty of wood there now. they are really efficient and safe and make life a bit easier. There is a small one for 40 bucks on amazon. I don't know if that will help you, but since I've lived this, it really saved my time and energy when we were without for long periods of time. Huge hug.
Megan, thank you. I don't have a water filter yet. I've been able to get water from neighbors with generators whose wells are operating, a friend in town and a water distribution site. It's definitely on the list and I appreciate the recommendation very much. I do have a propane camp stove that I've been using and my propane grill is working as well. I'm making a list for what will make this kind of situation easier.
sending a hug. I so wish i could support financially (i live in a peru making Peruvian soles and live on 5k a year) but I'll try to get more traffic to your page. Glad these things are on your radar in case there are any propane shortages and you can make the basic needs a bit easier. Stay strong and sending love and blessings for being able to rebuild. Love you
Marsha, I found your article in a comment that someone posted on Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper this morning. I live in California and have seen the devastating scenes of destruction from
Hurricane Helene on the news and in the paper. I haven’t heard/read someone’s personal experience of Hurricane Helene until I read your story right now. I am so very sorry for you and everyone on the East Coast who have suffered so much damage and loss, loss of property and especially the loss of lives. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I will gladly donate to your Go Fund Me. I’m glad that you are surrounded by a group of caring and helpful neighbors. I hope that new blessings come out of this disaster for you and everyone who has been affected by Hurricane Helene.
Also, I’m so sorry about the loss of your dear cat. I know how heartbreaking it is to lose a pet that you loved so much. I’m an animal lover and have three dogs, so my heart goes out to you. ❤️
Sincerely,
Colleen
Thank you, Colleen! This is so kind and gracious of you. We'll get through this. Everyone is being tested in very global and personal ways. Everyone is tense, even though we're safe. I'm working at keeping an open and compassionate heart and giving everyone grace and space. Thank you for your support from afar.
You have such a wonderful attitude, Marsha! I really like how you said that you’re working on having an open and compassionate heart and giving everyone grace and support. I needed to hear that today. I think this is something we all need in our lives. I will be keeping you and all people who have been affected by Hurricane Helene in my heart and prayers. ❤️🙏❤️
Emotional to hear about what you’ve both lost and gained through this life challenging and life affirming experience, Marsha. Sending hugs and healing vibes, and hope that new saplings grow from the seeds of the downed trees.
Thank you, Mich. A deeply changing experience for me.
Marsha-- I'm in the EBI community, reading this. Reading your account of your experience really pulled me in. It's the mark of an excellent writer when I'm immersed without even realizing!
Such an unsettling time, but I appreciate how you are pulling out the glimmers of gratitude.
Naomi, thank you so much. I may steal your phrase, "glimmers of gratitude." You're right. Sometimes gratitude is elusive and we have to look for it. See you in EBI!
Good morning Marsha!
You are an inspiration to all going through this difficult time after the devastating hurricane. My heart goes out to you and your community and I’ve sent your story and Go fund me info to others. I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved cat and have gone through a similar experience a year ago. I went through a flood in 2016 and was displaced for several months with my 2 cats so I understand what you are experiencing in the aftermath…
I will look forward to reading more from you and I offer my support in any way I can help. Just know that you are loved and will come out on the other side of this journey with new strengths and abilities.. transformation is not for the faint of heart!
Barbara, ahh, a kindred spirit! I knew that when I read "Mom to … a beautiful tuxedo cat" in your profile. My remaining cat is an impish tuxedo, Arnie. Delight on four paws. Yes, nothing like a good existential crisis to force clarity. Thank you for your loving open heart.
Just catching up with your story, Marsha, ten days later. I'm so sorry you have to go through this! And how generous of your trees, to miss the structures when they fell. There could have been so much more damage! Glad you didn't have to deal with all that. Now, ten days later, I hope that the view ahead for you and your community looks doable, not overwhelming. And that goodwill among neighbors continues and the healing strengthens. What an amazing thing, that the emergency is knitting fractured relationships back together. Around the globe we're still thinking of you, still pulling for you all as you rebuild and restabilize.
Thank you, Priscila. It was indeed very generous of my trees. I feel cared for on a very different level. The long-term cleanup can seem overwhelming but we only have to look north to Asheville to see how overwhelming it could have been. People are still people and we will still have challenges. It's humbling to feel all the support coming our way. Thank you again.
Marsha, I found you through Laurel Bern. My heart goes out to you on the loss of your feline treasure. I lost two of my cavalier King Charles spaniels last year, and I still weep if I allow myself to go there. I am in Savannah GA where I have experienced more hurricanes than I care to count. Btw they told us that hurricanes never arrive here when we were searching for a home. I had a blog which I never figured out how to monetize, Jayne on Weed Street. I now write for a local publication. I love my assignment but it wouldn’t even pay for a week of groceries. I write a column for the Garden Club of Georgia, Inside the Garden Gate, and I do that gratis. Just an introduction to say that I support your efforts in an understanding way. I know your heartache and struggle. Having just finished clearing tree limbs and branches from our property, I feel for your sadness over your loss of venerable trees. A reading of Overstory has convinced me to pay new respect to the old live oaks, hickories and pines in my area. It hurts to see them go down. It hurts to lose our pets. May your hurt leave you day by day until you can bask in new shade of your surviving landscape.
Jayne, thank you for reaching out with such understanding. I can't imagine losing two beloved pets. I have "Overstory" on my reading list. And yes, I thought I was being smart by not moving near the coast to avoid hurricanes and into a temperate rainforest to avoid forest fires. Ha! Silly me. I keep reminding myself that Nature is no stranger to and doesn't avoid change. Thank you again.
Marsha, Marsha, Marsha. . . So sorry you're going through all this, and so glad it isn't worse. We were without power for 2 weeks after Hurricane Charley slammed Central Florida back in '04, but at least we had water during most of that time. It was amazing how our neighborhood came together afterwards to clean up the debris and help each other out, so I have some small notion of what you're experiencing up there on your mountain. I hope the grid gets restrung quickly, and that your neighbors continue to help and support each other.
Thank you. It doesn't appear that power restoration is going to move as quickly as anyone would like because the damage is so extensive. But the fall weather is gorgeous and I'm savoring every minute of it. Thank you!
sending a lot of love. I know the challenges of not having electricity, running water, transport, gas. I wanted to ask if you had a water filter. I know so much time i spent boiling water, and when there is low propane or electric it's an issue. We invested in : 40$ Sawyer Squeeze water filter. With proper care/backflushing/cleaning it's infinite gallons of purified water. Hope it will make life a little easier. We also have a small rocket stove which is great for water boiling, cooking and heat if you need it, I know there is plenty of wood there now. they are really efficient and safe and make life a bit easier. There is a small one for 40 bucks on amazon. I don't know if that will help you, but since I've lived this, it really saved my time and energy when we were without for long periods of time. Huge hug.
Megan, thank you. I don't have a water filter yet. I've been able to get water from neighbors with generators whose wells are operating, a friend in town and a water distribution site. It's definitely on the list and I appreciate the recommendation very much. I do have a propane camp stove that I've been using and my propane grill is working as well. I'm making a list for what will make this kind of situation easier.
sending a hug. I so wish i could support financially (i live in a peru making Peruvian soles and live on 5k a year) but I'll try to get more traffic to your page. Glad these things are on your radar in case there are any propane shortages and you can make the basic needs a bit easier. Stay strong and sending love and blessings for being able to rebuild. Love you
Hugs are incredibly valuable! thank you for the love and support. Back at ya!
Hi Marsha! FYI the link to your gofundme is to manage the page so it takes you to a login. This link would bring people to the actual page you want them to be on: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-marsha-rebuild-after-the-storm
Duh! Moving too fast and didn't proofread carefully. Thank you so much. Link is corrected in the post. And thank you for your contribution.💚