I am super exhausted but determined to complete #Hiveblopomo, an initiative of the awesome bizzy Queen Bee @traciyork, encouraging all Hivers to write a blog a day for the month of April, and this is Day 13 of course!
Those of you who read my last post on Adrift in the Storm will understand this exhaustion.
We took a walk to see whether there was any more damage to the two buildings smashed by a mudslide to the right of our home after a severe storm that we've now learned actually is the subtropical cyclone ISSA.
The greater Durban must have been at the eye of the storm, as we're hearing of homes being flooded, filled with mud and of course many damaged beyond repair as with my neighbours.
What amazed me is that both these families can still smile and say they're not concerned about the material loss, as they are thankful that they're at least alive and well.
We accommodated the one couple plus their two furry gal pooches and the most gorgeous Peaches Pather who disappeared after the storm damage, but returned home the next day and was found by a friend, so we were full-house last night!
This very special couple who lost their super-talented daughter to suicide about a year ago, made a statement that once you've lost a child, nothing else that happened thereafter, could be worse.
The Mom is really struggling with depression following this awful loss; something I can identify with, as the exact same thing happened to me many moons ago, after my brother took his own life.
But, to lose a child, is just so much worse!
However, the Mom still lights a candle every morning and evening and 'talks' to her angel daughter. She said that on that fateful morning, she said something to her that she's never said before - 'please watch over Dad & I.'
Their angel definitely was watching over them as there have been many deaths already with people being buried alive in mudslides!
The Dad was on a ladder in the kitchen, checking the DB board after their power went out. When they heard the loud 'explosion,' they were on the right side of the house and could get out. It literally took seconds for that mudslide to hit their home, smashing right through their brick and tile home.
We learned that the house below was totally destroyed with their pool full of furniture; that is the strength of water and soil!
We've not seen this as we cannot access the public lane that runs between our neighbours.
The images below are our friends' home.
This is where the mudslide began, from the top of the steep bank on one side of the school property.
Our property is intact, but our only concern is a powerline that broke off from a fallen light pole where the mudslide happened, and is now hanging across our gate. We have since lifted it higher, but this power cable could be live, yet the authorities have still done nothing about it!
Our neighbours could salvage their refrigerator and freezer as it was on their garage side that still seems stable; they have managed to move their cars to the neighbouring complex just in case of a further mudslide.
These two appliances were filled to the capacity with foodstuff, some really exotic ingredients, as this lady is an excellent cook and loves experimenting! Even though there was no power, the frozen goods had not defrosted, and the refrigerator contents was still cold.
My freezer got hit by a power surge a while back, and they immediately said they will have theirs brought to us to keep everything frozen. They then went on to give me all this food, enough to keep us going for a long while, even though I kept on saying I could not accept all this food, especially after they had lost everything they owned!
I said they should take it with to their friends who offered part of their home for temporary accommodation as they have a bigger garden for their furry 'girls', plus more space for them, but they simply said that they are so thankful for the love and caring which meant way more to them than the material things they were giving us!
I was so overwhelmed and touched, that the tears could not stop flowing!
Here are two people who have lost so much, but have big hearts to give away the little they could salvage!
That act, and the way the community banded together, has really restored my faith in humanity; individuals opening up their homes for those who have lost theirs; school halls being turned into temporary accommodation and organisations providing meals free of charge with the help of generous benefactors, has just been so heart-warming.
The rain slowed down and the sun tried breaking through the clouds yesterday, and when our young guest returned, she pointed out the sunset.
I have never seen the trees across the road being lit up in this colour; they are green, but the angle of the sun going down, gave them this beautiful golden look!
A sign that things will be good again perhaps?
We can only pray so, as they are forecasting more rain for this Easter weekend.
I do believe and earnestly hope that it will not be as intense and last so long, but, I have never experienced anything like this in my life!
Banner created by @zord189
Banner created by @derangedvisions
JOIN Hive using my referral LINK
Original Content by @lizelle
Thank you for stopping by
Copyright @lizelle – All Rights Reserved
Do you know this Badge?
It says "Thank you for partnering with the Papillon Foundation by participating in the
Weekly Hive Charity Giveaway."
Do you want this Badge?
If you like this badge and if you want to help too, you can learn more about @combination and the badge in their blog post:
Some Exciting News! Badge release!
Graphics created by @mondoshawan
Artwork by @artywink
I am sad to see such damage to homes and land. It had to be terrifying to experience a mudslide like that. Glad that you are all working together to find shelter and support for each other. Bless your angels for your protection.
The rewards earned on this comment will go directly to the person sharing the post on Twitter as long as they are registered with @poshtoken. Sign up at https://hiveposh.com.
What can I say my friend, you guys are the kindest most caring people I know and we love you lots. Such tragedies happened so fast, Candice's friend lost her life in a mud slide so sad. But we are all strong and will get through this. You look after yourself, keep safe.
Lizelle I cannot imagine. I am glad you are all safe. What a week!
I hope that the rain holds off.
Stay safe.
I hope you stay safe, I hear further rain is coming!! We will keep you in our prayers.
Faith in humanity is restored in this kind of situations. Being alive after an event like this is the most valuable thing. It is devastating to lose material things , a house, a shelter, a safety net... It is great that you were able to help them !
This faith you talk about is what keeps me going after i left everything behind. This faith is what shows me that we are all able to live together in another way then society is imposing. It's just sad to see that we need so much destruction that we can find together again!
Love to you and your surrounding my dear friend from far away!
Oh Lizelle, it breaks my heart what has happened to your neighbors after all they have already been through. Maybe it is that perspective on life that makes them not feel hopeless about what happened. After all, as they told you it is material things, and they have already lost something much worse that can't be replaced :(
I hope you can rest. I hope that the authorities quickly attend to that cable that hangs so close to your property.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care and stay safe.
Happy Easter. 🤗
Reblog your posting dear sir
Wow Lizelle. It chokes me up and puts me in my place when I gripe about the weather not being the way I would like.
It's truly inspiring to hear of the community spirit that comes alive in such devastating times. This is how the world should be. I'm happy that you are okay. I hope you can catch up on sleep. Sending prayers.
Our prayers are with all that suffered from this terrible incident.
Times like this, although tragic, does bring people together and compassion is what is felt by good people like yourself.
Let's hope that the worst is over and Easter Sunday can be spent in the company of those you love.