Photo: NASA/NOAA GOES Project

Another summer is coming to an end and I hope like mine yours has been an enjoyable if at times eventful summer. Depending on where you live the weather has either co-operated and been beautiful for whatever you wanted to do, or been a challenge which you have risen to and excelled at.

Our hearts go out to those people cleaning up after hurricane Irene. Right now it must seem an overwhelming task to try and put everything back together. It’s so easy to focus on the bad things in life and not see the silver lining. Look around you and see how your community, family, friends and neighbours are pulling together to help each other out. In times of crisis it never ceases to amaze me how a person can dig deep inside and find courage and ability you never thought you had. I have faith in all of you to come through this challenge and succeed for all of us.

I’m reminded of my own experience during the ice storm of 1998 the power was out. We live in a rural area so no water, no sewage, no sump pump, but plenty of unclean children, food going off and my biggest distress no hot water for a decent cup of tea!  Now, those that know me know I have a hard time living without tea, and trust me it’s not the caffeine withdrawal I only drink decaf. I got so desperate one night I called a neighbour, told him my plight and low and behold there appeared a whole flask of steaming hot tea (he had gas to cook with) complete with smiles. It tasted so good and rescued my children from a very cranky mummy.

The next morning they cooked up all the food they had that was defrosting in their freezer and delivered it to all the neighbours along with hot coffee.

That afternoon I received a call from another friend who had just received power in a neighbouring hamlet, she was offering us hot showers, hot food, and the opportunity to sleep in a warm house with all the tea I wanted.

The whole experience turned out to be one of the best times we, as a family, have ever had and given us all stories and memories that have outlasted any hardship or discomfort.

We can all recall something in our past that had the same effect and with time make us stronger and more resilient.