Monday, February 9, 2009

Much Heartache


We all held our breath here in the Adelaide Hills on Saturday. With the temperature a blistering 43C. (108F.), the trees & native vegetation tinder dry & a hot North wind blowing fiercely, our little town was on high Bushfire alert. But we while were spared, our interstate neighbours in Victoria were not. I'm numb with sadness at the loss of precious lives & the catastrophic destruction the firestorms have caused. We are being told that the while the cool change which arrived here on Saturday night will last for a few days, the weather conditions next weekend will again be ferocious.

MOTH & I made the decision when we first moved here that we would not stay & protect our home if threatened by a bushfire. We love life & each other too much & so we will leave early. I pray that next weekend we won't have to put that decision to the test.

26 comments:

  1. Oh Millie how awful, I just watched the footage on the BBC website - such devastation! How heart breaking, I really hope your home stays safe - I'm doing a rain dance for you.

    Hang in there, thinking of you.

    Vanya

    ReplyDelete
  2. Millie~ We are hearing and reading about this- I was concerned about you and the others nearby. You will remain in thought and prayer. I hope the sky opens up with a steady, soft rain.
    I want to thank you for your sweet comments you've left~ they mean so much.
    D~

    ReplyDelete
  3. The heat in Victoria at the weekend
    46.4deg Celsius (115.5 deg Farenheit) was unbearable.

    The devastation from the fires is inexplicable.

    The sorrow unimaginable.

    The magnitude of it all is overwhelming.

    My thoughts and prayers are with those that have endured this tragedy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I heard on the news how bad it is there. I thought about you but had no clue how close you are to it. Your decision to leave is a smart one.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Millie...Mother nature is not being at all kind to your part of the world. Our concerned thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope all will be well very soon.
    ♥Rosemary

    ReplyDelete
  6. Special thoughts are with you all the way from Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  7. LEAVE. Do not hesitate, leave. Listen to your soul when the time comes. Growing up on Galveston Bay & hurricanes I know the threat of losing a home.

    You, your family & pets are precious. Things can be replaced.

    Prayers...

    XO Tara

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is all just so unbelievable and I'm praying for you too x

    ReplyDelete
  9. My dear Millie, I'm so sorry you are all going through this. I will be praying hard for you and your family and everyone there.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It is just so awful! My prayers go out to all the families who have lost loved ones in Victoria this weekend. I pray that you receive a change in weather so that you do not need to make this decision. Amanda x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Millie- I came over from Lifescapes. I am deeply sorry to hear the sad news of homes and lives lost. I will include you all in my prayers. You are so right the material things don't compare to our lives. Sending you hugs xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  12. My prayers are with you and you countrymen.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dear Millie, we are just now hearing reports of the devastation! Awful to hear what your all going through. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

    xoxo,
    Cathleen

    ReplyDelete
  14. Keep safe Millie XX
    Such extremes,
    flooding in North Queensland and Fires in Victoria...
    What next???

    ReplyDelete
  15. Millie,
    I am so glad that you have made that decision to leave if it gets bad. I also believe that life is more precious than your home, and as long as you take your photos with you, you can rebuild the rest.
    Good luck and I have thought of you all weekend and glad to know you and sweet MOTH are safe...stay that way!
    Ness xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh my God Millie, I'm watching the terrible images on TV and hearing there are 100 dead and more!!! My soul is sad for them!
    I hope your home has not problems,but if it's necessary don't hesitate to live because what's important is yours and your family life. I will be praing for you! KISS Mate

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh Millie, I hope your home will be spared. Stay safe. Sending protective thoughts! A-M xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Millie
    I had such an uneasy feeling on Saturday morning when I got up and went outside...it was ominous wasn't it? All the heat and wind and dust...just like Ash Wednesday 1983.
    I can't even bear to watch the news at the moment, it's just too tragic. I'm just grateful that South Australia came out relatively unscathed, this time.
    Such a lovely post Millie. Stay safe, Catherine xx

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nature can be so unbelievably cruel. I was attending Littlehampton primary school during the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and remember clearly the abject fear while we waited to hear if it was headed toward us. I ache for the people who have lost so much. Let's hope we can avoid a similar scene here.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Many thoughts of you and of Australia. I will be praying for you all. Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  21. Dear Lady Millie,
    Don't even look back if this will happen. Hold hard MOTH's hand an leave w/out any decision.

    I hope & I pray that this will never happen.

    My thoughts to all families who lost their loveones.

    Take care & GOD Bless OZ---

    ReplyDelete
  22. OH NO! I hope you will be safe. We have those horrible wild fires here in California... it is why I would not let hubby purchase a house in the foothills... not to mention I didn't want my son an appetizer for bears.
    BE SAFE!
    Fifi
    BTW... thank you ever so much for such kind words on my birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I remember when we lived near Sydney and Bush fires seemed to be so common. The sun would turn red from near by fires and searing heat. It certainly has been a frightening experience for those waiting to see what happens. I hope they stay right away from you Millie and that no more homes or lives are lost. Keep safe! Hayley and Tracey

    ReplyDelete
  24. I lived in Adelaide when Ash Wednesday went through and now live in Melbourne during these fires.

    It is truly, truly shocking to see the pictures and hear the stories.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Millie, it is seriously mind numbing isn't it. I really can't/don't want to comprehend what those affected are going through right now. I sit watching the news reports and think if that was to happen when we lived in the country - and the perspective that brings is just too much to bear.
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh Mille, your image for this post is so touching. I hope you and your husband never have to make that call. Thinking of you...Shanyn xo

    ReplyDelete

And none will hear the postman's knock
Without a quickening of the heart.
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?
~W.H. Auden

Related Posts with Thumbnails