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
oh gosh Melissa what a scary thing to happen! We sure can count our blessings. Thank goodness your neighbour is alive but how awful for her to experience this. I wonder what happened to cause it? Keep us posted how she is going xo
Wow…that is incredible. Thank God your neighbor was safe!!
muralimanohars last blog post..A total fizzle…
Absolutely unbelievable!!! Thank you for sharing this dose of perspective. Thank goodness everyone is okay!
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Twitter: sewafineseam
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How awful! I’m glad the neighbors were able to rescue the lady. Whatever happened to cause that?????????
Jill
Jill Florys last blog post..Dressing Table Giveaway
Oh my goodness! That’s incredibly sad. I’m glad they were able to rescue the homeowner. I can’t even imagine what she must be feeling right now. Are the other homes/lots in the area in danger of landslides?
Astrids last blog post..Not sure about these
Horrible! If they were able to escape with their lives that is really all that matters. Did everyone get out ok?
Kathys last blog post..Shipshewana
Oh.my.goodness!
I can’t even begin to imagine.
Glad everyone survived that.
Becky K.
Becky K.s last blog post..Dear Senator McCain,
Oh, wow, what an amazing story. Thank God your neighbor survived. It’s in those moments that we are reminded what to cling tightly too and what we need to let slip thru our hands.
We are THAT familys last blog post..Clearly, I Have a Drinking Problem
Hi Melissa -
I didn’t realize that was in your neighborhood. I was watching the early news when they broke in with the story. As daylight approached and more pictures were available I sat in disbelief. I know that area fairly well and couldn’t believe my eyes. I’m so glad she got out but I just can’t imagine what they are going through. I think of them often and pray. Yes, something like this certainly does get out attention and help us focus on what’s really important.
~Adrienne~
Adriennes last blog post..Autumn Leaves
How very scary! I just can’t imagine. What caused this?
All of those people are in my prayers
~Tidymom
Tidymoms last blog post..Making Life EASY!
Oh my goodness this is such a horrible tragedy. I am going to add them to my prayer list because my heart is just breaking for them. I cannot begin to imagine how they are feeling. Thank you for sharing this story.
Suzann from Lavender & Rosess last blog post..Got Time for a Quickie?
Wow.
What an incredible tragedy as well as an important reminder about what we should really cherish.
Jinxs last blog post..The Enchanted Forest
Wow! These pictures are horrific and humbling. In a day where I’m thinking more and more about entitlement and how much it affects my personal life and thoughts – it was appropriate to “picture” how truly little we own and have control over. Thanks for sharing. God bless your neighbors – glad they are safe.
Joannas last blog post..Well that explains it!
That is so horrible. Do they know what happened that caused the entire house to go? I’m so grateful the neighbors were okay. It certainly is one of those things that makes you think.
Wendys last blog post..FALL! and an award
I had actually seen this on the news a few days ago. It is still unbelievable looking at the pictures. Thank goodness, God had his arm around her that day. At the end of the day the things we possess are just possessions and our family and friends are the only things that matter.
Sugar ‘N Spice & Mostly Nices last blog post..our small master bedroom
Oh my gosh! The poor lady!
How is she doing? Can she even rebuild if there’s no lot???
As much as I love my “stuff” I try to remember that that is all it is. It can be replaced. My family, friends and pets cannot. They are what is really important.
Terris last blog post..The Dread Pirate Sam
What a freak accident. I am so glad to hear that she was okay. How tragic. Like you said…it’s in these moments that we find what we really treasure and value in life. I hope that she has the hope of Christ to get her thru this.
Leigh-Anns last blog post..The Secret is in the Sauce
Yes, this was a horrible event. It is unclear yet what caused it, but likely some sort of water leakage. It is a miracle everyone survived. There are seven houses (I believe) now around it that are under investigation to make certain of their safety. So many people to keep in our prayers.
OMG! How does that happen! Thank goodness she was okay!
Jen R Sanctuary Arts at homes last blog post..Two make-overs for the price of one
I saw this on the news the other night and was stunned. Thank goodness they made it out alive!!
Kathleens last blog post..on my desk
It’s frightening how quickly life can change and a disaster can strike. Thankful to hear your neighbour escaped the catastrophe and is ok.
I feel the need to go hug my family and pets too on reading this.
Renees last blog post..Anticipation
Tell your neighbor we are all thinking of her! How horrible. She is in my prayers.
Amy from Texass last blog post..Fun Blog Headers
Thanks for sharing this story. What perspective when we hear stories like this. Stuff doesn’t matter. When everything crumbles around us, God is there. He doesn’t leave.
Michelle Wegners last blog post..Help For Southern India
I’m…..speechless….
autumn dahlias last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Skyline on Fire
That is truly amazing, I am glad she survived this, but how does she put all of the pieces back together now? So sad.
I was intrigued by your Twitter about a tragedy and photos. I read the beginning about your adventure with the rodent and was then horrified to realize that wasn’t the real drama. WOW; the photos say so much. How we take so much for granted! Tragedy can strike at any moment. It really puts things into perspective, doesn’t it? Rodent versus losing home…and potential life.
Debbies last blog post..Thankful Thursday – Friendship
That’s Dave’s house!!! He & I work for the same company & we were alerted last week about this, why he would be out for awhile.
We are all in shock!
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Twitter: Mels_World
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Melissa, that is absolutely incredible…it makes me remember that verse where it says, “In the twinkling of an eye, a flash”…wow! You poor neighbor and neighborhood, and no, I don’t mean poor as in monitarily, I am talking about the poor that comes with grief.
I am so glad to hear that she/they made it out safely, but the days, weeks, month, and maybe even years it will take them to get back on their feet is yet another reminder that we are so much richer for friends, for life, and for family!
Great post! ~Melissa in Mel’s World
Melissa in Mel’s Worlds last blog post..Take Root & Write – Mom Works at Home
This was an amazing blog. Great reminder that life can change in an instant. Thanks Melissa.
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That is an amazing story, and reminds us that it doesn’t take a natural disaster for something like this to happen. My favorite quote: “None of us are immune to disaster, none of us are guaranteed a home or any other thing we might take for granted. ”
So true, and this is a stark example of that. I’ll keep your neighbors in my prayers.
Jennae @ Green Your Decors last blog post..A Lesson in Culture: Organic Deco Pillows by Les Indiennes
Oh how scary! So glad they are all right- Please let us know how things go- I can’t even imagine going through something like that, I hope she has close friends and family to help them through this. Oh how quickly life can change- let them know our thoughts and prayer are going their way. Are you in a safe area? Hope so.
My Mom was just asking me if I had heard about this… the lady that rode her house down the hill on the roof. I can’t fathom that one, or quite understand how she got up there in time. Totally crazy!
Is your home / neighborhood in danger of sliding now w/ this shift in the ground???
CraftTeaLadys last blog post..Love Story
Several years ago I met writer who had survived the Berkeley, CA fire by taking refuge, along with 3 firemen, under the cover of her pool. Hours later, when it seemed safe , they poked their heads out and faced an empty charred landscape. Nothing was left of her house and her pets had disappeared. The tangible past has simply been eradicated. She told me that had felt at once unbearable grief and a great freedom. Over the weeks and months that followed family members, friends, and colleagues gathered together meaningful pictures, letters, accounts and objects linked to her past, a trail of visual memories that trailed back to her childhood. The caring behind this project as well as the its result had comforted her enormously.
I thought that idea might be helpful to support and comfort your neighbors, too.
Françoises last blog post..Green Card Adieu
Oh my word, I’ve never seen anything like it!
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Oh my, that IS terrible and heartbreaking. My heart hurts for them! Even though it’s just “stuff” it’s still so hard to see them destroyed. I will think of them today in my prayers!
HBees last blog post..I’m The Birthday Girl
Wow, what an unbelievable occurance and a good reminder to value what is truley important. I will keep you neighbors in my prayers and hope that they are able to restore some sense of normalcy into their lives soon. Thank you for this post and the reminder. I will check out the link you gave about Blog Action Day.
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A nightmare is right! Who would ever even imagine something this shocking could happen–to have your house basically vanish out from under you. It’s a miracle the homeowner is alive. Can’t believe I didn’t see this on the news!
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Unbelievable! I am so glad that your neighbor’s life was saved. How amazing to even imagine that one’s home could literally “fall away” like that. It sure gives one a lot to think about. Thank you for this post. Is your home on the side of a hill?
Vee~A Haven for Vees last blog post..I’m Blaming Somebody
Oh my, Melissa— we will be sure to keep your neighbor in our prayers.
How awful, the poor family! I’m so pleased they are all safe, but they must all be heartbroken. How do you even know where to start in recovering from something like that? Your neighbour is in our prayers x
Liz@VioletPosys last blog post..Online Reward Chart
I had heard about this on the news. It’s a true miracle that no one was killed considering how many homes were destroyed. How do you suppose an insurance company will deal with that? Sometimes in life we are faced with the truth of it all. We are pretty insignificant in this world and our stuff, even more so. Thank you, Lord, that you view us as valuable.
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Literally thousands of us displaced by Hurricane Katrina have felt your neighbor’s bewilderment, shock and, yes, pain to a degree. Many of us were dealing with poverty of a sort long before the economy went sideways. I was a renter but Katrina wiped our building site clean, and just replacing necessities was a challenge. I believe you rise to it or you go under. It depends on your perspective (the old half-full/half-empty outlook) and the support of friends, family, neighbors. The people who leapt from skyscrapers when the market crashed in ’29 (and actually there weren’t that many of them) were defeatists not fighters.
I saw this on the news too! WOW! I just could not imagine. Glad she was okay.
That is so scary! Your poor neighbors! I can’t even imagine what that would be like, but it’s good for us to remember that we don’t know what God has in store for us tomorrow. I am concerned for the houses all around – I pray they will be OK.
And I assume that you found the hamster eventually?
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Stopping by for the first time and what a post! I am amazed by your words.
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Thank you so much for sharing this and putting things into perspective for me. Yesterday my entire department was told that our focus would be “redirected” and no longer, effective immediately. While this is devastating for most of us involved, it is true that in comparison to other happenings in this world, we still have all we will ever need. Thank you for reminding me of that.
Jeni from Kansass last blog post..WFMW: Protecting Your Memories
Those pictures make you speechless…I can’t even imagine that ever happening. So glad to here your neighbor is okay.
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so true….it’s good to take inventory of those things in our lives that mean the most, and celebrate them
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Melissa, my heart goes out to your neighbors. When I saw the report on the news I sat in stunned silence and I just cried for her. I cannot imagine how terrifying and bewildering such a thing would be. Thank God her neighbor was able to help her get out of there. Oh, how my heart seizes just thinking of it.
I haven’t popped in to read your blog in a while so I was shocked again to see that this happened to someone I “know” (well, from here at least) . That brings it so close to home and as you said, we have no guarantees … it could be you or me or my neighbor who next has to deal with an overwhelming event.
I’m glad you got Cheds back in his rightful home. That “boom” probably scared him too! He looks so cute in that bowl!
I don’t even know what to say. It’s horrible. Jean Prescott has hit the nail on the head and Francoise also.
We are flatlanders here on the Illinois prairie, but I’ve seen those types of home perched on hillsides or hanging over cliffs. I’m telling you I could never sleep a night in those houses, I would have nightmares. I’m always amazed that humans believe they can engineer anything. Unfortunately, nature will always have her way.
I’m glad to know your neighbor is safe. This will be probably be an insurance nightmare and I hope she has support during this time.
- Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife
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