Normally, I tend to focus on the more humorous aspects of the goings-on in my life and choose to share some of those moments with you in this blog. Just as I find writing these entries to be a nice escape from the inevitable stresses adult life brings, I hope that with each entry you read, you have something to smile about; without a doubt, you’ll always have something to think about.
However, at the moment, a slow but steady natural disaster is occurring in my second homeland of Germany, and because I’ve committed myself to write about life in Germany and my blended culture experience in life and love, it’s ridiculous for me not to acknowledge a tragedy is occurring in the country. For me not to write about it is, in my mind, equivalent to pretending it isn’t happening at all. That is so not my style.
Due to excessive rains and the riverbeds are unable to contain the water, massive flooding has literally wiped out complete towns and villages. Thanks to honest-to-goodness German efficiency, hundreds of thousands of people throughout the country have either been forced to evacuate their homes or have done so voluntarily, thereby minimizing the risk for losing human life within the country. Unlike the terror of, for example, tornadoes where the damage is quick, severe and can take you completely by surprise (in Florida, we have to contend with hurricanes, tornadoes and in certain areas flash-flooding), the floods here are torturous, often creeping an hourly inch by inch to levels as high as 6 to 8 meters. Yeah, that’s hard for me to fathom as well; that makes the water levels in towns and small cities between 20 and 25 feet HIGH. In some places, various parts of the Autobahn have been completely submerged. Unbelievable.
There are all kinds of horrible things happening in the world, and I do try to make a point to remember that there is still so much goodness despite this fact. One thing that has warmed my heart is seeing the solidarity of people – working together to help each other during their times of need by providing such simple things as food and new undergarments. Of course, there are ways we can all help: As usual, the German Red Cross is accepting donations (feel free to contact me for more information), as are many other charitable institutions. Also, people of faith and positivity can share their prayers and well wishes. One thing that people forget is that no matter what “first-world” country you may be fortunate to live in, Mother Nature has the ability to strip you bare, making you grateful for one thing above all others – life.
If you don’t have money to spare (and there truly are other ways to be helpful besides opening your wallet), or you can’t be bogged down with more problems of others because you’ve got too many of your own, then do the world a small favor and just take the time to appreciate the good that’s going on in your own life. Gratitude is a powerful emotion – and believe me, it’s also contagious.
Have a great week.
xoxo CountryEuroCityMouse
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