Dearest Renée, reaching tentacles of love eastwards, wishing they could lift people from their homes, hand out food, shelter with blankets. The enormity of what you and your loved ones just experienced is hard to comprehend. I’m so glad you are safe, though I imagine being in the midst is a trauma all its own. May your heart feel held. You are so loved and appreciated.
We can only imagine what it is to live through devastation of this magnitude if we have experienced it ourselves and I have never lived through anything of this degree. But I do know that humans are good and they will come through for each other. Thank you for this update Darling Renee, and for the link to where we can be of assistance the most. I am sending love and prayers🩷
Donna, thank your love and prayers and these words: "But I do know that humans are good and they will come through for each other." So very true, Donna. The goodness of humanity is alive and in beautiful force here.
Renée , as you mentioned... with limited connectivity... it is a pleasure to hear you are in the communal making of these hard-edged times... if that put's any consolation to the reality at hand.
An offering - if/as this reality handed to you becomes overwhelming, destitute - unable to be held by the safety.capacity of your own - reach out. It would be an honor/pleasure to be of service to the maneuvering of hardship.
Jacob, thank you for your kind words and offering. I know you are no stranger to "hard-edged times." We are in the early phases of recovery here, and we are calling from a profound love of place.
Renée, soak up the sincere love sent your way. It can help you through the long recovery ahead, because you will tire from the work of rebuilding. But also, keep us updated, because you will be energized knowing you are not forgotten. You are our people and we will not forget you.
One lesson I learned when I helped after the Paradise, CA, wildfire was that being present there as a part of a group of volunteers reminded people they were not forgotten, they were part of our big, loving (and sometimes messy!) American family. Please don’t forget.
Switter, a little delayed in responding to your comment, but please know how soothing I have found your words to be. I have leaned into them. I have shared them. And I will continue to do so. Thank you.
I understand disasters. It’s what I worked on for a career. Don’t fret about all the little courtesies, you have bigger fish to fry. Just accept the well wishes as your daily nutrition as you do what you must do. I only wish I could be there to lend a hand. You don’t have enough hands to do everything that needs to be done immediately, but knowing your are not forgotten makes the load a little lighter.
Dear Renée, On Tuesday, I began doing a search for resources hoping to find out about your status. Scared, not knowing — not knowing if I would even find out anything. No sooner had I begun did I then receive Jenna’s email and that you and family were safe. I am so grateful.
And this message — there are no words that suffice for such loss and devastation. Well, perhaps one. Thank you!
I will join at noon on Sunday for 15 minutes of silence.
Dear Mark, as I shared in my email to you, I am touched with tenderness by your care and so grateful to Jenna for putting the word out here on Substack and email. Thank you for joining in the silent vigil these Sundays since. Your presence is poignantly felt.
There really are no words Renee, but my heart is holding you and your loved ones as gently as I can. Dear Petunia, I am so glad that she is with you still. A new changed landscape to behold and comprehend. In time, in time. With love, Louise xx
Louise, thank you for holding this place and its people in your heart. "In time, in time," as you say. In these early days of recovery, we begin to get a sense of the road ahead.
Renée - I cannot even imagine the devastation... What I can imagine to some degree is the power of nature, for she can be fierce. Based upon what I have seen in my own life, that of fires, floods and earthquakes, it can be awful. Early in my marriage our home flooded. Quite the experience. So my heart goes out to you and yours! And to all that have been effected by this storm. I am glad you are safe, and I pray for all those in harms way that they find sanctuary. Sending you much love.
Dear Renée, so glad you and your loved ones are ok. Thank you for your words. Even when, as you write, you are on the receiving end of help, you still help others. With your words. Sending lots of love and hope from all across the wide ocean. X Laurien
I didn’t realize how many friends and colleagues I had in the stricken area until everyone started reaching out. All my live and support, sending funds through the local ressources. XX
It's a great blessing that you are safe and able to connect with your community. I am grateful for your witness. I hope things get a little easier for you and all those who have experienced this painful upheaval.
Dear Renee--I'm glad to receive this email and know you and your family are okay. Holding you (and all who suffered damage from this storm) in deep love and asking for divine right action for each of your recovery.
Dear Brenda, a little delayed in responding to your loving care. Thank you for holding all who suffered and are suffering in your deep love and prayers for recovery here. Your prayer for divine right action is needed and much appreciated.
So grateful to hear you and loved ones are physically okay, though I’m sure the emotional and spiritual bodies are experiencing a range of “not okay.” Holding you close in my heart and all those affected. 💗
Mariah, thank you. No doubt you understand the long tail of trauma. Thank you for your care for all affected here. Nothing could be more important now and in the days ahead.
Renee, I am so glad to read this email from you today. Having spent a lot of time in the southeast and some in NC, I am looking at the pictures and reading the stories with blank astonishment and grief. You are in midst of so much. Love and comfort to you.
Dear Emily, thank you for your kind wishes of love and comfort. Your words, "blank astonishment" and "grief," capture the enormity. If in your travels to the southeast you have spent time in Western North Carolina and southern Appalachia, you know how resilient the culture is. The road ahead is long, and I sense the soul of Appalachia and the care and prayers from far and wide will see us through.
Thank you, Camilla. We have seen a shift in the past five days or so from crisis and search & rescue response to early phases of recovery. Thank you for your kind wishes.
Dearest Renée, reaching tentacles of love eastwards, wishing they could lift people from their homes, hand out food, shelter with blankets. The enormity of what you and your loved ones just experienced is hard to comprehend. I’m so glad you are safe, though I imagine being in the midst is a trauma all its own. May your heart feel held. You are so loved and appreciated.
Kimberly, thank you for reaching your loving tentacles this way, uplifting all here with your care. This heart does feel so very held. Such gratitude.
We can only imagine what it is to live through devastation of this magnitude if we have experienced it ourselves and I have never lived through anything of this degree. But I do know that humans are good and they will come through for each other. Thank you for this update Darling Renee, and for the link to where we can be of assistance the most. I am sending love and prayers🩷
Donna, thank your love and prayers and these words: "But I do know that humans are good and they will come through for each other." So very true, Donna. The goodness of humanity is alive and in beautiful force here.
Renée , as you mentioned... with limited connectivity... it is a pleasure to hear you are in the communal making of these hard-edged times... if that put's any consolation to the reality at hand.
An offering - if/as this reality handed to you becomes overwhelming, destitute - unable to be held by the safety.capacity of your own - reach out. It would be an honor/pleasure to be of service to the maneuvering of hardship.
Jacob, thank you for your kind words and offering. I know you are no stranger to "hard-edged times." We are in the early phases of recovery here, and we are calling from a profound love of place.
Renée, soak up the sincere love sent your way. It can help you through the long recovery ahead, because you will tire from the work of rebuilding. But also, keep us updated, because you will be energized knowing you are not forgotten. You are our people and we will not forget you.
One lesson I learned when I helped after the Paradise, CA, wildfire was that being present there as a part of a group of volunteers reminded people they were not forgotten, they were part of our big, loving (and sometimes messy!) American family. Please don’t forget.
Switter, a little delayed in responding to your comment, but please know how soothing I have found your words to be. I have leaned into them. I have shared them. And I will continue to do so. Thank you.
I understand disasters. It’s what I worked on for a career. Don’t fret about all the little courtesies, you have bigger fish to fry. Just accept the well wishes as your daily nutrition as you do what you must do. I only wish I could be there to lend a hand. You don’t have enough hands to do everything that needs to be done immediately, but knowing your are not forgotten makes the load a little lighter.
Dear Renée, On Tuesday, I began doing a search for resources hoping to find out about your status. Scared, not knowing — not knowing if I would even find out anything. No sooner had I begun did I then receive Jenna’s email and that you and family were safe. I am so grateful.
And this message — there are no words that suffice for such loss and devastation. Well, perhaps one. Thank you!
I will join at noon on Sunday for 15 minutes of silence.
With love and affection,
Mark
Dear Mark, as I shared in my email to you, I am touched with tenderness by your care and so grateful to Jenna for putting the word out here on Substack and email. Thank you for joining in the silent vigil these Sundays since. Your presence is poignantly felt.
There really are no words Renee, but my heart is holding you and your loved ones as gently as I can. Dear Petunia, I am so glad that she is with you still. A new changed landscape to behold and comprehend. In time, in time. With love, Louise xx
Louise, thank you for holding this place and its people in your heart. "In time, in time," as you say. In these early days of recovery, we begin to get a sense of the road ahead.
Renée - I cannot even imagine the devastation... What I can imagine to some degree is the power of nature, for she can be fierce. Based upon what I have seen in my own life, that of fires, floods and earthquakes, it can be awful. Early in my marriage our home flooded. Quite the experience. So my heart goes out to you and yours! And to all that have been effected by this storm. I am glad you are safe, and I pray for all those in harms way that they find sanctuary. Sending you much love.
Julie, thank you for sharing your understanding and prayers and love so felt here not only by me.
Dear Renée, so glad you and your loved ones are ok. Thank you for your words. Even when, as you write, you are on the receiving end of help, you still help others. With your words. Sending lots of love and hope from all across the wide ocean. X Laurien
Laurien, thank you for your ever kind words, your love, and hope. An ocean spans nothing in the space of love and hope.
I didn’t realize how many friends and colleagues I had in the stricken area until everyone started reaching out. All my live and support, sending funds through the local ressources. XX
Kate, thank you.
Wishing you peace, and a bit of respite from the intensity of this experience. Indeed, people (and mules and horses) shine at times like this.
Julie, thank you.
I add my love to this circle of love.
I sit solid in my immaculate heart, feeling great heartbreak and tenderness towards the human tragedy you are participating in.
I pray for love beyond my comprehension to reach down with grace to Asheville❤️❤️🌀🙏🏻🙏🏻
Megan, thank you. Your immaculate heart is present here.
It's a great blessing that you are safe and able to connect with your community. I am grateful for your witness. I hope things get a little easier for you and all those who have experienced this painful upheaval.
Susie, thank you. 🙏
Dear Renee--I'm glad to receive this email and know you and your family are okay. Holding you (and all who suffered damage from this storm) in deep love and asking for divine right action for each of your recovery.
Dear Brenda, a little delayed in responding to your loving care. Thank you for holding all who suffered and are suffering in your deep love and prayers for recovery here. Your prayer for divine right action is needed and much appreciated.
So grateful to hear you and loved ones are physically okay, though I’m sure the emotional and spiritual bodies are experiencing a range of “not okay.” Holding you close in my heart and all those affected. 💗
Mariah, thank you. No doubt you understand the long tail of trauma. Thank you for your care for all affected here. Nothing could be more important now and in the days ahead.
Renee, I am so glad to read this email from you today. Having spent a lot of time in the southeast and some in NC, I am looking at the pictures and reading the stories with blank astonishment and grief. You are in midst of so much. Love and comfort to you.
Dear Emily, thank you for your kind wishes of love and comfort. Your words, "blank astonishment" and "grief," capture the enormity. If in your travels to the southeast you have spent time in Western North Carolina and southern Appalachia, you know how resilient the culture is. The road ahead is long, and I sense the soul of Appalachia and the care and prayers from far and wide will see us through.
Yes, I do know how resilient that culture is. Blessings on you and the rest of Appalachia Renée.
Thank you, Emily. 🙏
Sending all good energy and prayers✨🌟💖🙏🕊️
Dear Camilla, a little delayed in responding. Thank you. 🙏
Understandably so! I hope all continues to go okay and things are slowly getting back to normal.
Thank you, Camilla. We have seen a shift in the past five days or so from crisis and search & rescue response to early phases of recovery. Thank you for your kind wishes.