SENDONG. A year after.

I've often wondered how it would be a year after typhoon Sendong devastated homes and wasted lives in our city. It sounds horrendous hearing victims tell their tale on that fatal night. In a split second, a wrong decision could take away your precious life. And it's quite amazing to know, no one has exactly the same story to tell.

As I woke up at 3am today, I sadly recalled how frantic we were seeing muddy water getting inside our home. Though our home was elevated, it was already on my breast level that time. If we had to climb through the 5ft perimeter fence to get to the roof of our one-storey home, we will have to swim as water may be deeper outside. It left us no other choice that minute but climbed on the railing to get on top of our van in the garage. It was the immediate move I could think of that time.

A picture of the white van that saved our lives and the little black car we bought ten (10) days before the flood. It was a frightful experience seeing muddy water around you with the other car totally submerged into it.

Notice the wall that pictured where the water level may have stabilized. We had a difficult time the next day getting the dog who was wise enough to swim her way inside the window grill. She was still shaking as we removed the last jalousie for her easy way out.

This is just one (1) of the horrendous sites I have ever witnessed in our neighborhood. Somehow, I am very grateful that this did not happen to us.

Having dinner and a break from it all. We had to get up and be strong because no one else would do it for us.

Once again, I am grateful to the Almighty for answering prayers even before I utter them.

For friends and relatives who prayed and gave us strength.

Let's celebrate life!  

Moving On

It's been a long time since I last came in here to post highlights in my day-to-day musings. Typhoon Sendong has caused so much change in my life. I've never seen so much muddy water in our home until that traumatic event. It has threatened to take our lives and even now have me thinking what my family would have been if all of us were asleep that time.

But then, since I prayed unceasingly the moment we were on top of our van in the garage and beg for God's mercy to save us, I am full of gratefulness that we end up safe.

This was taken shortly after the flood started to subside. Someone has to get inside the house to see what could still be saved. Luckily, my digicam was in a safe place.

We climbed through this railing to get on top of our van. It was the immediate act I could suggest as soon as we got to our front door. Beside our white van is a Daewoo Matiz we purchased ten (10) days before the flash flood. And it was totally submerged in muddy water.

And here we were, barely a week after it all happened. We needed a break!

However traumatic it may have been to all of us, the thoughtfulness of relatives and friends who responded to our needs was very rewarding. It is indeed a fact that in times of our lowest do we realize who will be there in times of our need.

Our refrigerator is sill functional despite it all. But who would want it after all the dirt it has accumulated?
We feel more confident buying a new one, for a change.

It's amazing how this set floated and wasn't washed out of our home. You should have seen how we washed and sun-dried it for days.

I thank God for those special people and most of all, for God's compassion for listening to my prayers.