Prayer, Thoughts, and Thanks

[ChrissyB]

I just wanted to make a small post in rememberance of the poor people in Victoria that have lost their lives, homes, families, this last weekend.
My thoughts are with these people, and I pray that these fires will be controlled, the people responsible will be held accountable, and the poor people left behind will somehow be able to move on with their lives.
As I read the news yesterday, I looked around my house, and I am so thankful for all that I have, not just material possessions, but happy healthy children, a husband that loves me, and a pretty tight family unit. I don't know how I would cope if all that was ripped out from under me.
There is a link on www.news.com.au that you can follow to donate money to the red cross, or through National Australia Bank, that will go to helping these thousands of people get back on their feet. Our family donated $100.00. I know it's not much, but every little bit helps!

 

[topcat]

Thank you for posting this thread Chrissy - I wanted to do it, however didn't know how to start......what an excellent idea to give thanks for what we are so blessed to have. I have been sending peaceful and loving thoughts their way and also want to thank you for that link for donations.

Also take a moment to reflect on the many flora and fauna which have perished - untold millions of animals, plants and insects gone.

The sadest thing is that I believe it will prove to be that many of these blazes have been deliberately lit.....how can someone contemplate causing such destruction? All involved will need our healing thoughts and practical help over the coming months.

Tanya

 

[ChrissyB]

Tanya I thought exactly the same thing as you about the animals. The fire has ripped right through Ferntree Gully as well as lots of other bushland. Imagine how many poor animals perished. And if any were lucky enough to escape they are now without their families and their homes. I would adopt every single one of them. In my old age I am going to be one of those crazy ladies that has pillow cases ties to all the chairs and doors with baby kangaroos and koalas in them!!
I think it's great you donated Tanya, every little bit goes toward helping somebody rebuild a small part of their life.
I feel the same as you about these fires being deliberately lit, it is just incomprehensible that someone could do that, and cause so much devastation and destruction. So many people have died. I am almost scared to turn the tv back on because I can't hear the numbers keep climbing, it's just breaking my heart. :cry:

 

[Lindy]

This has been on the news here too and it is absolutely devastating to watch.....my prayers and thoughts are with everyone, including and maybe especially the critters, who are being so badly damaged by this....

 

[topcat]

I'm not watching it Chrissy - and I keep reflecting that whatever happened they are now at peace - there is no other way to cope.

Tanya

 

[ChrissyB]

Tanya you are absolutely right. We are not watching any normal tv for a few days, foxtel only. I always joke that we are in a little bubble world when we just watch foxtel because you don't know what's going on in the outside world. For now that's a good thing!!

 

[Jody]

I live close to Lindy and have been watching it on the news as well. It is very heartbreaking and to think it is deliberate is mortifying. So senseless.

I am going to be one of those crazy ladies that has pillow cases ties to all the chairs and doors with baby kangaroos and koalas in them!!

This made me smile HUGE. I love the thought of the pillow cases on chairs. We wouldn't think of something like that in Canada. LOL.

 

[dagmar88]

:? At the moment I'm not in a financial position to help anyone I'm afraid; but my thoughts & prayers go out to the people who lost everything they love. Can't even imagine how they must be feeling...
Makes me wonder, what kind of psycho's get pleasure out of destroying peoples lives and killing an enormous amount of animals. Not even worthy to be called human. I really hope they get caught or otherwise live miserable lives!

 

[beachgurl]

I feel horrible for all those poor people and critters. I hope they catch the responsible party so s/he can be brought to justice. Such a senseless act :cry:

 

[topcat]

The results of fundraising efforts have been nothing short of phenomenal!!!

To date Australians have either donated or pledged over $75 million AUD, with more coming in all the time. Our Coles supermarket chain have pledged to donate all profits from today's (Friday) takings from every store Australia-wide - so wonderful. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have donated $500,000 AUD also.

I personally have donated to the Red Cross appeal for this and am putting together some small, personal, care packages that Starduster suggested on another thread as well as contributing by shopping at Coles today for my weekly groceries. It feels like so little......yet I know that it is people like me who are just doing their bit which is adding up to the wonderful total we have so far.

So many countries around the world - both friendly and not so friendly - have offered prayers and constructive support. Australia says "THANK YOU!"

Tanya

 

[starduster]

It is so wondeful you all care so much

The careing ,sending the love and hope is wonderful.
Yes Tanya and I are doing the small care packages. It was Tanya who pointed out that Coles were donating all their todays profits to this cause.That is unprecedented. So I shopped there of course for the little extras.I felt useful imagining that it would make ad difference. It isn't for everybody to give materially this time. Charity does begin at home.
I trully believe that sending white light and love will do tremendously good things there.
Today I went and did that shopping.Unsbeknown to me leaving my wallet in the shopping basket.I have never done that before. I went out to my car having first gone to the wrong car park of course .Getting to my car as another lady beside me got into hers we struck up a conversation about the fire victims. This lady mentioned that she was nearly crying to see a vacant shop full of food , hay ,all sorts of things donated for the animals in Victoria. I mentioned about the care packages ,she asked where we would send them too and I said I wasnt sure yet but possibly a hospital there and she replied that she would also do it.
It is amazing how the good can snow ball.
Yes my wallet was safe and sound handed in to Cole staff.
On the way down I dropped a bright yellow tarp back to SES . who had turned up within half an hour of my phoning them a while back about storm damage to my roof. They secured my place quickly and proffesionaly. They are all volunteers. So we never no when it will be our turn.
I don't know what else to say.
PS:In that smallish shopping center the coffee shop also donated proceeds from every coffee that day.

 

[starduster]

Fern Tree Gully

The fire has ripped right through Ferntree Gully as well as lots of other bushland. Imagine how many poor animals perished. And if any were lucky enough to escape they are now without their families and their homes:

Not the very Fern Tree Gully I have a DVD of? :cry: :cry: :cry:
Yes I too have had to turn my attention to the ones who have survived. I get worried enough about the animals when it storms here.
I see that we are all learning so much from this sad time.
Another lady chatted to me as we shared a skinny corridor out of the ladies loos.She said she was a Mental Health Councillor and her hope was that those people would get enough support. So I guess that is what we are trying to do, to reach out accross the miles and hold the hands of those people with shattered lives as they find some meaning once again.