The FLOOD

It has been spoken about since 1974 .... Brisbane can expect another flood like 1974. Little was done to prepare. A dam was built to minimise the impact but never to prevent. This week the flood came through Ipswich and then into Brisbane. To the west Toowoomba was hit traumatically, totally unexpected, the small village of Grantham was swept out of existence by a wall of water. The whole state of Queensland has been deluged by rain and floods.
The day it hit Brisbane was a fine day for us, we put two lots of washing out on the line to dry, yet over the hill .... well that was another story. Steve and Anne's house went under, as did Cathy's , Ian and Carmen, Jacques and Pia and so many others. I include these names of friends because this story is personal, like every event like this. 1000 plus people, with names, have died at the same time in floods in Brazil, 35 plus in Sri Lanka.
There are echoes of The Flood, and every other catastrophe. In so many stories, films, poems so often they are over there or in the past and our interest is more cerebral.
With one person, a brother had been murdered six months ago and this flood compounded that sadness and added another. We cannot forget that these people were already dealing with issues, yes even the great delight in living ... all is well. .. my identity is assured with house, possessions and people.

The real test for all will come in the weeks and months ahead when the adrenalin rush of these moments will disappear.