10-2-2009 - Unbelievable sadness - please read

My mood while writing this blog: awestruck and shocked

I am not sure how far Australia's news travels around the world. Some of you may know or not. My state, Victoria was hit on the weekend with the hottest temperature ever recorded 46.4 degrees C or 115 degrees F. The wind was so hot it burned and there was heaps of wind. A bushfire, presumably lit deliberatley swept through many country towns literally wiping whole townships. Over 180 people died, in their homes, in their cars on the road trying to leave town. We have a fire readiness motto here which is to create a plan of whether you will stay and defend your home or leave early. Even people who did the right thing lost their lives. Survivors have the clothes they were wearing as there wasn't time to save anything. apparently the fire swept through so quickly that it has been described as hell on earth. Every day they find more bodies and it is heartbreaking to hear and read the stories of survivors. Firefighters have flown in from other states and countries and forensic specialists have come to help as our resources are stretched. I know this sounds melodramatic but every word is true and nothing has been embellished.

But through all of this darkness, stories of heroism have come out - strangers saving strangers and these people dont want any recognition as they are humbled by other tales of heroism. Towns that stood last week are now living in tents on the football fields and relying on aid from Red Cross. There are people who don't know if their friends and relatives got out alive.

What has made me so proud is how everyone is helping everyone. Millions of dollars have been donated to the bushfire appeal by fellow Australians, businesses are donating chunks of money. sports games are being played with all proceeds going to the victims. Your average person is holding a sausage sizzle to donate the money to the victims. Today I went for a walk with the kids and everyone I saw said hello, with a smile, because we know how big each other's hearts are. Everyone is helping in some way. Both my mum and dad donated money. I gave all the baby clothes which dont fit to the appeal even though I was going to sell them on Ebay, and girl's clothes. Friends of mine donated their time to help put together care packages and people are making sandwiches for the firefighters and survivors and some people have worked all night, cooking and caring for survivors and people whose house and belongings burnt down. And we have donated money too. If there is any way you can help the link to the website is here http://redcross.org.au/vic/services_emergencyservices_victorian-bushfires-appeal-2009.htm

I am just appealing to everyone reading this to send your prayers and thoughts to the victims and the survivors and the brave people fighting the fires, and any money if you can or clothes, whatever they are asking for. this is the worst disaster ever to hit this country and I am just so saddened by the trauma and what people went through and continue to go through. But I am also so proud by the way everyone has banded together to help another human being.

Please help and pray............