photo credit: Flickr Annia316
Last week, my husband and I were preparing to fly to Ohio to attend a conference. At 5:30AM on that dark Wednesday morning as I was putting my suitcase by the door, I got a glimpse of something small and furry running down the hallway. I had to do a double take to assess what I saw, after all it was pretty early and I hadn’t had my coffee yet. Oops, nope, it was moving. Definitely a rodent. HOLY COW!
After screaming at the top of my lungs for my husband to come save me, I realized I recognized that rodent. He wasn’t just any common rat, he was our furry hamster, Cheddar (Cheds for short). Because I will not pick up ANYTHING that resembles a rodent, my husband came running to corner Cheds and get him back to the safety of his cage. This was his first success at escaping and he was not one bit happy that he was caught.
Suddenly, something happened.
Just as we were getting Cheds back into the cage and reaching for duct tape to secure him inside (well, not duct-taping HIM, but the place where he chewed through his cage), we heard a big BOOM echoing through the silence of the early morning. Along with the BOOM, the lights went out. It was now PITCH BLACK. And, as any smart rodent would do, off ran Cheds, back to freedom! Can you believe it? The hamster was now free to escape in a dark house! It was a rodent’s dream come true.
As we ran around in the dark looking for a flashlight and crawling on hands and knees trying to find Cheds, we were completely unaware of a more serious drama unfolding just up the hill from us. While we were experiencing a silly, annoying and minor “incident,” our neighbors’ life was slipping out from under them.
A Life Changing Moment
Just up the hill from us, at 5:30AM a neighbor awoke to a loud cracking sound. Before she could get outside to safety, her beautiful home overlooking the city started crumbling all around her, sliding down the hillside, busting into bits and taking another couple of houses along with it. Water lines were breaking and power lines snapped.
Our friends (who shared their beach house with us during the wedding) heard the ruckus across the street and ran outside. They rescued the homeowner with a ladder as she clung to chunks of her house that were sliding down the hill and landing in a giant heap of rubble. It was a nightmare. In a matter of moments, the house was gone.
All we could see at the time was the inconvenience of trying to find a furry hamster in the dark, but in the bigger picture of life around us, our neighbor was watching everything she had crumble before her eyes. I can’t imagine experiencing the horror she (and the other neighbors involved) went through that morning and what she will face in the months to come in dealing with what is left of her home.
When my husband and I got back from our trip yesterday, we walked up the hill to see firsthand what had happened. It was unbelievable. Where her lovely home once stood, a house where we had hung out for block parties, there was nothing but a gaping hole of dirt. Her lot is completely gone. In the ravine far below, windows, cars, doors, and personal belongings are scattered among big chunks of the neighbor’s house — all laying in a heap.
This experience made me pause. You can’t see something like that happen and not step back and think. What do I truly value? What if everything I have was stripped away from me, snatched from my hands and tossed into a pile of rubble? What is important to have in life and what can I do without? How would I cope with something like this? Suddenly, life feels different. Something like this makes you want to hug your kids and be so grateful for what you have. And it makes your heart break for someone else.
I like to keep a balance of appreciating beauty and recognizing how really fleeting “stuff” really is. As one who has a warm home to come home to every night, it is eye-opening to see someone else’s home slide down a hillside and crumble into kindling. None of us are immune to disaster, none of us are guaranteed a home or any other thing we might take for granted. With all the uncertainty in life, it is a good time to think about what we really need and what we can do to help others in times of trouble.
Because it is Blog Action Day, I invite you all to check out all the participating blogs discussing the topic of poverty (see link below). We sometimes need to pause and reflect not only on our blessings but on the needs of others.
House photos credit: Oregon Live
wow. that is terrible. horrifying actually.
leacas last blog post..Trash to Treasure, October OPAM
I read this post, earlier today and was chilled by what happened. I am so happy to hear the homeowner was rescued. It’s just an amazing story. I tried to post a comment when I first read the post, but it didn’t publish.
I’m anxious to hear further news about this.
Pats last blog post..~The Elgin-Cottrell House Circa 1845~
It always seems that it takes the most tragic things to wake us up, make us ask the what ifs and wonder what we should have. That’s why it is so important to live in the now, think about the future, and do our parts to help improve ourselves and surroundings.
I’m glad your neighbor made it alright.
Oh my word, Melissa! I can’t even imagine! It would be hard to believe without seeing the pictures!
I’ve had a few “landslide moments” (although not literally, like that) in my life and it’s amazing how quickly life snaps into focus. You instantly know what is and isn’t important.
Thank you for sharing this. I believe that it is going to be more important than ever to remember what is important.
Kimbas last blog post..Updating a Sofa
What a nightmare of a story ,Melissa! I can’t even imagine what you poor neighbors have gone through. Things like that aren’t supposed to happen. You are so right…we are not promised anything in this life and we have no idea what we’ll be faced with next. People are what’s important in this world & I’m really starting to realize that things are so temporary in the eternal perspective.
Rhodas last blog post..Covering a Lampshade
Oh my goodness!!! I’m totally speechless. How horrible! Just proves the fact that we have to be completely thankful for EACH day we are given.
~melody~
Wow. That is just horrifying! It truly does make you pause and consider what is of real worth in your life…
Mrs. Qs last blog post..To Be Continued..
I saw this on the news here on the east cost, and heard that your neighbor was hurt, but ok. Please let her know that she’s got lots of virtual hugs and real live prayers from all of us out here!
Melissa, this story gave me chills. I can not imagine how devastated your neighbors must feel. So glad she was rescued. It certainly does put things into perspective.
Rhonda
Rhondas last blog post..Find a Happy Place
How horrible! That reminds me of when we lived in Florida and sinkholes would just occur. I can’t imagine the panic and fear your neighbor must have experienced.
Neutral Dwellings last blog post..Get Halloween Party Ready!
I was giggling and laughing at your hamster dilema then went into shivers with the hair standing up on my neck at the site and story of your neighbor. Truly unbelievable that in mere seconds disaster can strike. I feel for them and will make sure to put them in my prayers. Thank God that she was not injured or worse.
Angela Kochs last blog post..Recipe Ratings
OH!! This is so, so horrible. It seems a miracle that no one was hurt. I can’t imagine what this homeowner is going through emotionally. I know it’s just stuff, and I always keep that in mind too, but sometimes stuff that can’t be replaced (the home you raised your family in, photos of relatives no longer living) holds lots of memories and when you lose everything…and to be there as your world is literally slipping out from under you…wow. Wow.
laura @ the shorehouses last blog post..Colorful weekend.
horrible.
that is crazy.
how sad for them. i just can’t even imagine what they would feel. i bet it’s so amazing to see first hand.
thanks for the reminder.
hope you are okay.
meg duerksens last blog post..tagged
Melissa,
I just cannot imagine the terror that your neighbor experienced.
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with her.
Laura Ingalls Gunns last blog post..One Hundreth Post
Holy COW! I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve heard of houses in CA going in mudslides. Is that what happened here? I’m nearly speechless.
Debs last blog post..The Original Leatherman
I am so glad that your neighbor is ok. What a heartfelt, well written post.
The Nesters last blog post..
OMG, I heard about this on the news, how awful!! I’m so glad she is safe and that someone could get her out in time, I feel so awful for her!
LindsBs last blog post..Silhouettes, take two…
I saw that unfold on the news. That really can shake you up. I was so thankful to hear she was physically ok. Laurie
Oh my gosh! I can’t believe that. What a terrible thing to happen! I’m just glad she was okay! Is there anything we can do to help her?
shans last blog post..{oooh, charming!}
OMG. this is so sad. thank goodness she was safe. this is a great post melissa, because it does help us all to remember that ‘stuff’ is so very fleeting indeed. i said for a prayer for your neighbors……and also, give ched’s a big hello and a high five for me. he’s such a cute little ‘rodent’..hehe.
shelbis last blog post..{ a princess, castle, vanilla with sprinkles cake }
That is insane. How very, very sad and frightening.
My prayers go out to that lady and her family – what a monumental and devastating loss. And I’m sure with time she will simply appreciate that she got out with her life. Incredible. I have never seen such a freakish thing affect someone I might actually “know” (through someone else!).
A wonderful, thoughtful WOW post! And thanks for the funny bit about Cheds too. Lucky little rodent.
xox Terri
Terris last blog post..Paris Post: St-Ouen Flea Market (Clignancourt)
Oh my gosh, Melissa. How absolutely sobering. I had my husband read this post, as well, because we are having geological engineers come tomorrow to install slope movement meters on our slope. We have lived in our home for six years, and have noticed signs of movement on our property. There are six homes on our street and at least three of them are showing signs of slippage. We want the builder to pay to reinforce the slopes around our homes. Seeing what happened to your neighbor only reinforces the danger that can be very real. Thank God nobody was hurt, and thank God your neighbor was rescued safely! Like you said, what truly matters are the lives of those we love and care about.
I hope you and your husband had a good trip! And as for that pesky little hamster, ours used to escape too! I used to panic trying to find him as he scampered happily around our house! I know that they find it very funny. I can just hear their little hamster giggles as they use their peripheral vision to run at just the right moment!
Big hugs and lots of love,
Debbie
Debbie/Four Angel’s Mommas last blog post..Because I Love Them
Oh that’s just awful! How sad that it takes situations like this to slap us in the face sometimes and make us appreciate what we have… and what we really need!
Thank you so much for calling my attention to this… I needed to quit obsessing about the not so important and refocus on what is important… my family and their and my health!
My heart is broken for your neighbor…everytime they show this story on the news, I think of this family. Makes me think of all of the slides in the area a decade ago…God speed to your friend and your whole neighborhood…glad to hear on the local news that the city is backing off a bid and I hope that they find relief and peace.
Ramona
Ramona Owens last blog post..Recipe Sharing On A Tuesday Eve ~ Yum!
Wow! I can’t believe what that must have been like for you or your neighbor! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. It’s shocking and makes me value even more what I have – a healthy beautiful 2.5 year old daughter, a wonderful husband who really loves me and our 2nd child on it’s way in January. ‘It’s all going to burn’ I guess, but it’s so difficult to see it happen prematurely like this.
Best wishes,
Crista
http://www.BellazizasFavorites.com
Cristas last blog post..SWAG ALERT: The Entire Boon Feeding Collection!
Your pictures were incredible. How devasting for each ofl these families and especially for your friend who narrowly escaped with her life. I hope the others families will survive this and be able tos table their homes. It looks like a beautiful area.
I am grateful for your prospective that stuff is stuff. It makes me to be even more grateful for my family and those things that I really cherish the most and can’t be taken away unless I let them.
I am grateful your friend is alright physically and hope she can rebuild her life with the compassion and love shown to her by others during these terrible time.
Thanks for the WAKE UP call before we head into this busy season of obtaining more stuff and hopefully our my family and I will concentrate on those things that truly mean the most to us in our life. Our Family, Faith, Love, health, and choice memories.
I hope you enjoyed your trip and litter Cheds was safely found:)
Beth
We have an area not far from us where the banks won’t lend money anymore on alot of beautiful new homes because of of land movement. What a scary thing for all those
What an incredible
WOW! That is just amazing to see the pictures of the house! I feel so bad for them…i juat can’t imagine that. It really does make you stop and think about what is most important in life. My prayers are with your friends.
Karins last blog post..Freaky Friday Blog-o-ween Party!
This illustrates just how unstable our world is. We build, build, build and make grand maps showing everything that we have given names to. It seems constant and feels secure beneath our feet. Then, with a volcanic blast, the fury of a tornado or hurricane, an earthquake, a mechanical malfunction, a man initiated attack, or natural occurrences, our surroundings are altered: sometimes permanently.
The only constant is the Lord. The only stability is in the Lord. None of this world goes with us. We are reduced to God.
I will be praying for your neighbor. Praise God that she was rescued!
Thank you for this post to remind us all that as much as we enjoy the blog parties and decorating, things are things and not always here to create the image of what we call living.
Living is truly about the people who we share our lives with and the community that we build.
Pearl Maples last blog post..Sky Watch Friday
Oh my Lord! How tragic. I will certainly keep this family in my prayers.
I’ve missed coming around, but I am so busy at work. I did want to let you know that I heard from Felicity.
Beverlys last blog post..A Funny For Those 50, 60 or 70 +
Melissa, this is such a sad story. It is amazing how we can think we have a problem and then seeing what someone else is facing makes our problem seem so small. God bless your neighbor! And you too! I can’t miss a day of your blog!
Wow, the pictures alone are devastating. How do you make sense of that and? I bet your neighborhood really pulled together for them. Sending prayers and love.
the paris apartments last blog post..you can’t make this stuff up
That is SCARY! WOW… we never know what life has in store for us.
THis is tragic. How did this happen- I mean what caused the home to go like that? Where abouts are you located? This is so awful- I am just glad that they were able to rescue her. Could you imagine being in there and this happening to you. Thanks for sharing. Daisy~
Daisys last blog post..~Light and Bright~
Amazing photos. I think I may have seen this on CNN. So horrible for your neighbor. She’s lucky there were others nearby to help her escape. Yes, this is a reminder about keeping things in perspective.
On a lighter note, I love that photos of the hamster peeking out from the dish (even though I don’t like hamsters-lol). That’s a great shot.
Lisas last blog post..Pick a Pear (and eat an apple)
I think those are some of the most scariest pictures I have ever seen. I am so thankful that the woman is okay. I am very visual so that image will remain with me and make me value things that are important. Thank you!
♥Jen
jens last blog post..BUMMER
Holy mother of pearl. I’ve heard about people’s houses sliding down hillsides but I’ve never known anyone who lived in the same neighborhood at the time. How sad.
Darlas inspiring blog post..Our next President of the United States!
What an unbelievable thing to have happen. Your images really convey the feelings and emotions and the extreme sense of loss — thank goodness that everyone was okay, despite the severity of the damage. As always, love the sentiment behind this post, and the reminder to appreciate the things that matter most to us.
xo
tigs inspiring blog post..{happy weekend!}