I carefully moved through the water to salvage what I could. In just a few minutes before I heard my upstairs neighbors at my front door calling to see if I was in the apartment. I called back explaining I was trapped. The two young men then made their way into my kitchen and found me standing there trapped. All three of us began pushing against the buoyancy of the water and were able to move the refrigerator low enough so I could climb over it and get free.
I left the apartment carrying my oldest cat Sheba and my computer wrapped in a trash bag while one of the guys carried my youngest cat Rascal. Rascal was so scared she actually jumped out of his hands and was swimming for the area just outside the front door. He was able to scoop her up once again and we all went to one of the guy' second floor apartment to regroup and catch our breath.
As we all stood there, we took a moment to check ourselves to make sure we were all uninjured. Suddenly, I realized my youngest cat was missing! I was terrified she had forged back out into the water to get away. I was about twenty minutes later when we found her under the recliner right next to us in the living room.
At that point, we began to assess the damages we each incurred. The two young men that were my upstairs neighbors had lost their cars. The neighbor to the west had lost all her possessions. I had also lost all my possessions including my car.
Without thinking, I had grabbed the raincoat hanging on the wall by the front door as I left. About this time, I reached into the coat pocket and found my cell phone in working condition! So the only thing I could think to do was to call my best friend and have her call the church as well as my other friends to let them know my two girls (cats) and I had survived! As I did that, the tone in my dear friend's voice registered shock and concern. I assured her I was fine and that I would call her back very soon. We all began to discuss what we would do next. We all realized we had places to go and would not need the emergency shelter that was being offered. We knew we would all be back the next day if the water had receded by then to see what if anything was left.
I again called my best friend and asked her if she could come pick me and the girls up and she said she'd be right there. She was amazed at the devastation when she got there. She only lives about five minutes from the apartment.
She loaded us all up and headed back to her place. At this point I must admit that I am sure many of the details from here forward might be a bit off because at that point I moved into survival mode and much of the details in that following week and a half remain a blur. I do know one of my dear friends came and picked me up and took me back to the apartment the next day. The water had receded and I walked through the wreckage of my home. That first time through, all I saw was the lost items I worked for and those gifts that others had given me. I must admit this caused a flood of a different kind. Memories filling my mind and tears were falling down my cheeks. All I could do was stand there and view the destruction. After a few moments, I heard someone knocking on the wall. (The crashing water had destroyed the door. )
As I looked up…it was the Red Cross. A man and a young woman with cheerful faces greeted me. They explained they were there to see if they could help me. They took measurement of the water damage height and said according to their criteria my home qualified as a disaster area! While my damage was certainly not on the level of the Texas Hurricane victims had experienced, I could, at that moment, certainly relate to them.
These two Red Cross workers gifted me with the huge box of cleaning supplies and a check of approximately $200 for emergency food and clothing. I was at a loss for words. And little did I know it was only the beginning!
At that point, I called it a day and had my friend return me to where I was staying. When my best friend return home from work that day I shared with her the news of the day and that I needed to start mapping out all the things I needed to accomplish during this week which I took off from work. She graciously allowed me access to her computer while mine dried out.
Remember, I had no wheels at this time so I kept asking myself, "How will I find a car?" Something seemed to be pushing me to the computer to find my next car. So, I got online and thought to myself this is so overwhelming. Where do I start? I loved my Kia Sportage so I thought I'd go to the local dealers web site and see what is available? (All the while dreading it. My car had been paid off and now a car payment was in my near future!).
Of course the issue of money was rolling around in my head as I perused the web site, . But I kept hearing a voice that said do not worry. You car is here. So I began to look in earnest. I saw new Kia Rio for $14,000. Thought to myself, I could probably handle that but it is so small! And I could never be mistaken for Twiggy! So I had definite concerns. But I picked up the phone and called anyway. As I chatted with the sales woman, I asked her how roomy was the vehicle because I definitely was not a tiny person. At that point, she asked me if I would be interested in a 2007 Kia Sportage? Now she did not know that ever since Kia redesigned the Sportage in 2006 I had really wanted one but knew it was out of my price range. I had even gotten the brochure about the car and left it in my desk at work all these years.
I answered her by saying that I indeed would be interested in one but could not afford it. She asked me if I could afford a new RIO at $14,000 would I be interested in a Sportage at $13,500. I said yes, but no way could it be $13,500. She laughed and said "Yes way". As it turned out it was a one-owner car from a large car rental company with 33,000 miles. There was also so some minor hail damage to the car. As it turns out, it was even the same color as the Sportage on the brochure I had tucked away my the desk! So I asked if I could come see it. She asked when and I explained I had to wait until friends could bring me. So she offered to come and pick me up and let me test drive the car. I couldn’t believe my ears! Of course I gratefully said yes! And as I expected, I fell in love with the car. So I went back to the dealer and they did all the paper work. As soon as the insurance gave me my money for cost I lost. I called and said I would have the check in 2 days and gain to my surprise…the dealer even allowed me to have the car ahead of time to facilitate my smooth clean up on the apartment. Did you hear what I just said? The dealer allowed me to have the car before I gave them the money. Again, the gratitude in me prompted the tears to fall! Even at this moment, I need to stop a moment and re-center myself.
When all the paperwork was completed my car payment was less that $200 a month and that included the cheapest extended warranty as well! Let me say my previous car payment was more than that.
So I was able to get myself to the apartment and start sorting through things and when they could find the time, my friends took turns coming over and helping me pack and move everything back over to the basement of the friend’s place that I called home for a while. We finally got all that was salvable out the apartment and gave the keys back and gave them my forwarding address to send my deposit. And the week had past and it was time to get back to work.
|
St. Louis MO
But there’s more to tell! When I returned to work that Monday, my supervisor came over to my desk, bent down and quietly said this is the first of about three envelopes that having been passing around the office. I had no idea what it was about. She laughed and said you goof ball there are so many people that have been touched by your situation that they wanted to help you. And the rest should be in by the end of the week. Oh my! I had to get up and go outside for a bit. I was so overwhelmed that I thought I would pass out! As I sat outside and opened the envelope, I found over $300! I did not know what to do or say for a few minutes. I got myself back together and went inside and thanked everyone. They could see that I was definitely having difficulty speaking. So the guys I work with began to tease me. She is quiet! Unbelievable! We all had a good laugh. By the end of that week, the contents of the envelope had grown to about seven hundred dollars and a two hundred dollar gift card from a local grocery store. All of this came from many different departments through out county government. I was definitely at a loss for words! But there's even more! My friends at church had been communicating with each other about the things I might need and such. I got an email from the pastor urging me to contact one of out members that had a house for rent that had belonged to her mother that had past recently. Imagine that, me with a house. I truly doubted that would happen. But the pastor and that little voice in my head were both so persistent, I called the woman. She asked if I’d like to see it. I said sure. So the day after I got the car, I went to see the house. It was a two-bedroom bungalow. As I pulled up, I smiled because it looked very similar to the house I grew up in. When I went inside, I was surprised to see the floor plan was very similar to my childhood home and the décor looked like something my Mother would have done. I was yet again overwhelmed with that feeling of so much love around me.
As the owner and I began to talk about the rent price, she offered me a reduced price that was still out of range for me due to the car payment. So I agree it was a good price but that I would have to decline the offer. She asked why and I explained what my civil servant salary was. And she said," honey I had no idea that was all you made". I thanked her for her time and said I understood. As I was getting ready to leave, she said you know when my Mom past this past July (again, this is September), I said I wanted to use this house to help someone. Would you mind if I think about this for a couple of days? No not at all, but do you think you could let me know by Monday (this was a Thursday)? She said yes, for sure.
My Friday moved along rather smoothly. Went to lunch with a co-worker and when I returned, once again I heard that small voice urging to check the messages on my cell phone. I almost push the thought aside because I wasn’t expecting anyone’s call. Silly me! But that voice was very persistent so I pulled out the cell phone and checked. Sure enough there was a message and it was from the woman with the house. I was ready to hear a rejection. You know stiff upper lip and all that, especially at work! As I listened to the message I was so stunned I didn’t know what to do! She was saying to me she thought it over and she wanted to offer me the house at an even further reduced rate that WAS in my budget! You guessed it –right there in the office those tears were racing down my cheeks!
My co-workers were all concerned and wanted to know what was wrong? I smiled midst the tears and said NOTHING. And the continued on to explain what was happening. They were all happy for me and agreed that was quite a blessing.
And there is still more! My massage therapist that helped me in rejuvenating my body helped my move what was left of my belonging into the new house the first weekend in October.
And one of the other earth angels that had helped me with much of the packing and moving things to storage said she wanted to take me to lunch. So I said all right. While eating she said she needed to stop at Wal-Mart. My reply was no problem. When we got inside, she smiled and said all right now we are going to shop for those things that you will need for your kitchen. When I started to protest, she explained that after she was married she and her husband lost everything in a fire. So she understood what the experience I was going through was like and she wanted to help and that when the time came, I too could repay her by helping someone else. With that I humbly accepted her generosity as we picked out all the items I would need to cook with. My kitchen beams today with love as well as pots and pans and other essentials!
Dare I say it, there is even more to the story. A few days later I caught up with another of the earth angels that helped me to clear out my apartment. I greeted her with my usual hug. She smiled and said she has something for me from some of the women who participated in one of the circles I attend. It was another envelope with nearly four hundred dollars! I gasped and then explained I had been wondering where I would find the rest of the sales tax money that I needed to pay soon to get the title and plates for my new car! She smiled and said she would share with the other woman what their gifts had accomplished. To all of you reading this, I want to point out all of these things happened within a two to three week time period.
Here it is about three months later and I am just now beginning to be able to talk about the experience. And as I am sure you have noticed, there is still great emotion attached to it. So many of my dear friends have waited so patiently for me to tell my story on paper.
After passing through this experience, I really do know who my friends are. And there is one thing I left out. The dear friend that took my two cats and me into her home happens to be allergic to cats! If that isn’t unconditional love, let’s redefine that word! This is also the friend that told me from now on that she will think of Noah as a woman surviving the deluge with her two kitties!
As I bring my story to an end I want all of you to know we are constantly surrounded with more love than we can fathom. We are powerful beings that are here to raise the vibration of this world so we can all live together as was intended. As you pass through what lies ahead, know that those in spirit are there to assist you in whatever your need. Don’t think or believe it. KNOW IT!
Much love and courage to you all
MESCHI
Almost a year later as we publish this article Meschi is in the process of buying her very first home!
Summer Blessings Abound!
|
Seasons Greetings pg1