Find more celebration posts at Ruth’s blog.
In the midst of tragedy, how can we celebrate?
Was it Mr. Rogers who said to look for the helpers? There are helpers everywhere.
There is also kindness.
I have been glued to Facebook for the past week watching the shocking flooding of my friends’ homes. (The water came knocking but didn’t get into our house.)
I remember. When I was in high school, my house was flooded 5 feet. I know the smell. I know how it feels to see your treasures piled up in the yard. I’ve seen the studs in my home.
I also remember the kindness, the helpers.
I celebrate the helpers. Kylene Beers and Kate Messner, authors I admire, both put out calls to replace books lost in the flooding. If you know any school that has been affected, please check their Facebook pages.
I celebrate the resilience of my friends, how they are facing this tragedy and noticing the good. They are experiencing the overwhelming feeling of loss alongside gratitude and hope.
Here is a post from my friend Gwen:
Our home is a metaphor for Louisiana.
Yes, we’ve been stripped down to our studs.
Right this moment, we’re a bit vulnerable, and we’re a bit weak.
We’re exposed.
But you know what is shining through?
Human character at its finest.
When we’re most exposed,
we show strength, generosity, kindness, joy, and love.
When we’re raw, we also show fear, despair, and sorrow.
The days have been long, and will continue to be.
When some are feeling strong, others are low.
But through it all, I have no doubt that we’ll recover.
It’s not our lowest point.
It’s not our darkest hour.
It’s our defining moment.–Gwen Guillote
My friend, artist Paul Schexnayder, created a painting the symbolizes the resilience of people here. He is selling prints and t-shirts to benefit the Community Foundation of Acadiana. If you want more information about purchasing a print, t-shirt, or just making a donation, please send me a message by comment or email.
Onward
We see the helpers.
We see the kindness.
We know hardship.
We know sorrow.
We know our neighbors.
We know love.
Onward
Reflections on the Teche 
It’s times like these I marvel at the kindness of community. I pray that these tragic events lift people up and they choose to continue even when there isn’t a life changing even. Thank you for all the links and your post.
I’m glad you can celebrate, know it must have been frightening to watch the water, and am happy for you that your home is okay. On the other hand, I see that you have friends who have terrible loss, and am so sorry for that. The poem is poignant, but holds hope, something to admire for sure. Hugs to everyone, Margaret.
I have thought about your people often during this terrible tragedy. I am often in awe of how situations such as this opens people’s hearts and brings people together in ways that is nothing short of God’s miraculous work. Gwen’s poem is beautiful and I hope her words bring healing to many.
Thanks. We are a resilient lot. We’ve seen disaster after disaster and we always rise above. That’s what we do.
What beauty comes out of tragedy. The resilience of your community is inspiring. True celebrations of human spirit.
A beautiful post, Margaret – it takes our coming together to accomplish anything.
Prayers that all may rise above. Helpers and kindness, neighbors coming together- these bring hope. Thank you for writing and connecting us more personally to what we are seeing on the news.