Hello friends, I just want to write a quick note about Hurricane Harvey. This will be brief because I am overwhelmed and still processing it all.
As you have likely seen, the Gulf Coast has been devastated by catastrophic flooding due to the Hurricane. I live in Pearland, a suburb of Houston. Our family decided to shelter in place and ride the storm out. We stocked provisions and prepared for the worse we could imagine. We did not expect 57 inches of rain and days of worry and anxiety. In the end, our family came out better than most. The nearby streets are flooded, but thankfully no water entered our home.
Today the rain has stopped and the sun is shining. We have limited access beyond 2 or 3 streets and the lines at the few open businesses are out the doors. With all we have experienced and watched others go through, the clear sky brought me to tears. We are all balls of emotion feeling gratitude, grief and guilt all at the same time.
We are anxious to be useful, but are limited in what we can do physically. We have made monetary donations to send some support to those displaced. If you wish to do so, here is a list of organizations that can use your support. When we are able, we will get out and help where we can. In the meantime. I will do some soul-mending with sewing for myself and others. A friend has lost most of her first floor to flooding. All of her soft surfaces, curtains and cushions will need to replaced. We will get together to restore her home and spirit.
If you follow on Instagram or Facebook, you may know I was one of six sewing bloggers selected as contestants in the Fabric Mart Fabricista Fashion Challenge. It is a month long sewing competition with specific challenges each week. I was excited to be chosen, but considered withdrawing as the storm approached. Now that it is over, I have decided to continue in the challenge. I have this tension and nervous energy that I hope I can channel creatively. This contest may be welcome distraction I need.
Thank you for your prayers and support for HoUSton. We feel them and I appreciate it.
Bianca
So glad you are safe!
ReplyDeleteThanks do much Faye.
DeleteI understand. I live in the Houston area and am experiencing the same emotion...My daughter's wedding was even canceled because of it. I'm a fellow sensitive seamstress. So much to be thankful to the Lord for but so much to process at this time in my life.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog and have received some wonderful sewing ideas from you.
Praying for you and I covet your prayers as well. *tears*
Thanks Amelia, hugs to you and your family as well. We will get through this.
DeleteBianca, I am a Katrina survivor. I feel all your emotions, stress and strain. Please know that those that can help, will! You, your family, friends and community are in my thoughts and prayers. Things will get better!
ReplyDeleteKathy (You made a patch for me!)
Hi Kathy, thanks so much for your words of encouragement. The fact that you have come out on the other side of Katrina makes them so much more comforting. Keep the prayers coming.
DeleteBianca - I'm so thrilled that your family is safe and I understand the emotions they are only natural after such a stressful time. I can't wait to see what you see in the Fabric Mart competition, I'm sure it's going to be fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Carolyn. I have appreciated your warm wishes throughout.❤ I hope to be able to make something good in the competition, but I will cut myself some slack if I fall short.
DeleteThank you for giving us an update. I prayed for you and everyone down there just before reading this. I'm so glad you guys are ok, and all those emotions make complete sense. I'm sure people all over the country want to help, so thanks for the link. I'm going to go check it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Lisa. I appreciate your prayers so much. I'm glad you found the list of support helpful. There are many ways to get involved. Any contribution is going to make a big difference in someone's life.
DeleteI am so glad to hear that your family is safe and well. Watching the news is so heart wrenching. I couldn't imagine having to live through something so catastrophic. Houston is in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Johanna. It is surreal to watch and experience. Please continue to pray as we have a long way to go.
DeleteBianca, I'm so so glad that you and yours are safe, and so so sorry that you're going through this. Hugs and more hugs from me.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Denise I appreciate it.❤
DeleteBianca, Malka and I are thinking of you! If you need anything, we're here. Love to you and yours, Kelly
ReplyDeleteThanks so much guys! I will redeem your kindness for a hug at Market.
DeleteBianca, I am so pleased for you and your family. Sometime we are put in these positions to show our love and faith to others. You have both and will be an asset to your community!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sue. I'm trying to be reflective and figure out lessons in this. Hopefully, next week when the kids are going to school I'll be able to be physically helpful to others.
DeleteSo glad that you and your family are safe.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to hear that you're safe. I live in Dallas and it's been so heartbreaking to see all the images of the flooding. We're experiencing shortages in gasoline, but that's nothing compared to what the hurricane victims are going through. Will keep you in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, we need continuing prayers.
DeleteHi Bianca, I don't live far from you. We are in the Sugar Land area. This storm was the worst I've experienced. I'm glad that you and your family are doing ok. It was very frightening My neighborhood was flooded and we couldn't go anywhere for days until the water receded. It's sad that so many people lost their homes. We do have a long ways to go. What I saw was people helping people and showing compassion towards one another. Maybe, this storm was a reality check of how we as a society have lost caring and love for one another. We are neighbors, Fort Bend County. I hope to meet you one day! Congratulations on your being a participant in the Fabric Mart competition.
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia, as a native Bahamian, I've experienced many hurricanes in my life, but nothing like this. It has truly been remarkable to see the way people are supporting each other in this difficult time. I hope the sense of community and love we feel continues throughout the recovery and beyond.
DeleteI understand how you feel. My neighborhood and my home was greatly damaged by Hurricane Sandy. But we were lucky in that we had flood insurance to help us out with the recovery. My heart goes out to all who have been impacted by this storm, especially those that lost their homes. I am glad you are safe. Be kind to yourself. Those are all normal emotions after such a traumatic event. All the best to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your support. I remember your difficulties after Sandy and your advice to "Be kind to yourself" is just what I needed. Thanks!
DeleteI'm sorry I didn't vote -- I was so distracted by everything that was going on. In fact, I don't think I went to FabricMart at all last week, which is a first for me. But, I'm SO GLAD you won! The dress is adorable but the sentiments and the thoughtfulness that went into its construction are so great. I love what you said about the colors and the piping and I wish you and your community all the best for the weeks ahead. It's difficult when all the cameras go away, but that's when the real work starts. I will be voting next time!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Colleen! My new entry is up so don't forget to vote this time 😀.
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