Fires still burn throughout the state.
Fires still burn here.
But life goes on, and the clean up and rebuilding of lives begins.
Apparently there is a list of the dead in the paper.
The paper is now nestled in the bin. I don’t want to know yet.
My heart skips a beat every time the phone rings. No no, I don’t want to know.
Today I mopped my floors for the first time since the weekend.
Ash covers every single surface.
As I mop – eight buckets, I emptied eight buckets of black water – I wonder what the ash is.
Someones home. A childs toy. Linen, clothes, photos, lives destroyed.
I don’t want to think about what else it could be.
Too many broken people. Too many walking around with the light in their eyes gone.
K is finally allowed to leave her home. See her boys. Leave the designated crime scene.
I get to hug her tomorrow.
Friends are still fighting fires or searching for victims. No one should have to see what they have seen.
I am here safe. Mopping and dusting. Scrubbing the oily remnants of others lives.
This is fucked up.
******************
I wasn’t going to do this. If you feel the need to donate to the appeals you will find them. You don’t need me to beg. To me this sort of thing is private, I won’t be sharing what I have or have not done to support victims of this horrendous crime. But so many people have emailed me asking how they can help, where to send money, begging for guidance, here is a link.
Thank you everyone for your comments, emails, twitter and plurk messages. I feel guilty about the outpouring of love and support when I have lost nothing, and others have lost so much.
I will bring the bitch back asap and answer your questions from this post.
I will leave you with this:
Beautiful.
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I’m glad your home and family is safe. Hopefully you all stay that way, and lots of others do too. This really is a terrible, terrible thing to have happened.
Talia’s last blog post..Jordanian Exploits
I’ve been thinking about you for days. Nice to see you on twitter, glad you’re ok, and praying for the others. Take your time, this is a tough one.
much love. I’m glad you are safe and I know you will help the rest.
My heart aches for all that is going on…
Kel’s last blog post..A moment
Glad you are safe, so sorry for all those who lost so much. But you know what? The photo of the koala trustingly putting it’s paw on the mans hand and drinking … that’s a message of hope. We’ve got to hang onto that.
dizzy mum’s last blog post..Waitangi weekend
Poor koala bear. Can I bring him home and love him and feed him and put him in my pocket and treat him nicely?
No, that’s you I wanna keep in my pocket.
Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]’s last blog post..Weekly Winners 2.1 – 2.7
Thinking of you, your friends, and neighbors.
WhyMommy’s last blog post..Today’s news in cancer research
This is so heartbreaking. Thank you for keeping us apprised of your situation – for knowing that we worry about you.
Tammy’s last blog post..Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
hugs Kell.
Mistress B’s last blog post..They should have been ok dammit!
love you, kelley.
magpie’s last blog post..Snow
Huge hugs and prayers for all of you.
Jennifer A’s last blog post..Mommy FAIL
Oh gosh Kelley… we have been following it on TV and I told my hubby that I have a friend right THERE and please be safe and know that some family in Cleveland is praying hard for all of you.
Ho’s last blog post.."Knock. Knock."
Oh. And I never call him HUBBY.
Ugh. I don’t know what got into me!
Ho’s last blog post.."Knock. Knock."
Holy crap, I’m glad you’ve shown your face (so to speak) I was getting a little worried.
anja’s last blog post..A parasite who feeds off tragedy.
Just happy to hear you are OK.
Dan’s last blog post..Why I …
Kelley – so glad you did include the Red Cross link. I’m one of those people who knock on doors and shake the tin for Red Cross every year (in addition to two other doorknocks that I do) …. and quite frankly I’m so used to getting the door slammed in my face I think I’m developing a callus on my nose. …even though I’m always polite and never pushy ’cause I get that some people just don’t want to be bothered at home (N.B a $2 sign on your door will stop all legitimate doorknockers).
So to have even a small plug for the RC at the end of your post makes me keep going and knocking on those doors. thanks.
Amanda’s last blog post..You can help…
I want to say glad you are okay but I don’t think anyone in Victoria is really okay right now. Glad you are safe, alive.
how much can a koala bear indeed! how lovely. a little sweetness in a time of tragedy. aussies rock.
I’m still so very sorry for everything that has happened. I don’t have the words to properly describe it, but just know that I have been thinking of you and your family and friends constantly since I first heard of the fires. Big (((hugs))) to you, Kelley.
Lynn (Walking With Scissors)’s last blog post..How I Waste Time When I Should be Working
Hang in there Kelley.
Much love <3
Thinking of you so much, my twin girl.
Thanks for adding the link, although I’m a dumbass and I had to Google a American dollars to Australian dollars thingy to make sure I gave enough.
Hang in there.
Love you, smooches.
Sunshine’s last blog post..The Absolute Shortest Life Story
Heart is breaking for you and all the rest. Lots of love from this side of the world.
bejewell’s last blog post..The Lemon Tree
My thoughts are constantly with all of the people whose lives have been changed by this. It’s just too much.
Ali’s last blog post..Tired and crazy with googly eyes
my heart is with you all
flutter’s last blog post..A lifetime of walls between us
Hugs. I’m glad you’re okay
Fear and Parenting in Las Vegas’s last blog post..She liked it, she really, really liked it.
Thank you for the update. I’ve been thinking about you so much the past few days. I haven’t watched any news coverage; I’ve been waiting to hear from you. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. Hugs, my friend.
Mr Lady’s last blog post..I Quit. Again.
There will be a better day. I promise.
Audubon Ron’s last blog post..Nothing More to Give
So glad you guys are safe, but sorry you have to deal with all this. I remember our big earthquake of 89 when so many people less than a mile from my home died. It’s really, really traumatic, even if you haven’t lost anything directly.
Lunasea’s last blog post..Ode to the Library
I would be thinking the same as you – what is this? I also understand the need to not want to know who is gone. I made the mistake of looking at photos in the SMH submitted by readers of people they’ve lost. Needless to say, I was in tears in seconds. So many people, just like you and me. Oh my god the CHILDREN. It’s too much.
Ness’s last blog post..Oh My Goodness
It’s so good to see you post and let us know how you are. Please remember you are not alone, we are all here for you, and the people affected will never be forgotten by their fellow Australians.
May all the dead rest in peace and the survivors a quick recovery.
They better catch the bastard…..
It’s horrifying, knowing all this could have been avoided.
I’m glad you guys are safe and I’ll keep you and yours in my mind.
sleepyjane’s last blog post..Day of the valentine
Thinking of you down south.
Don’t be too hard on yourself for feeling so devestated – it takes a while for a community to recover, including the people who still have their home & everything else. In Canberra it took years & people still talk about it.
Fire cleanup is a bitch, I know. Years ago I tried to clean up the unit my daughter was renting when it burnt from an electrical fault in the laundry.(Not quite the same thing, I know, but a samll measure of understanding what you are going through). The owner turned up while we were washing walls and said we could stop, she’d get professional cleaners in. The Emos are helping you, right? I hope this doesn’t get you down too much.
My heart is aching right now.
And the koala video choked me up too.
My parents house burned down a few years ago and it was horrifying. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must feel like to be in your shoes right now.
Lilacspecs’s last blog post..Starting Off The Week
UK Red Cross has set up its own relief page for UK residents to donate money without having to work out exchange rates and get hit with overseas transaction fees- http://www.redcross.org.uk/news.asp?id=90857
You are there for others. You are wonderful and you are loved.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kristin’s last blog post..Make Peace With Yourself
(((hug)))
No witty repartee. Not today.
Robin’s last blog post..Spring
The koala video choked me up too. Again. And I’ve been choked up by lots of things this week that are totally beyond my control.
I have been so worried about Boo and how he has coped with all this madness. I’m glad you are all safe.
I just don’t even know what to say. So much sadness and devastation. The koala, though, that makes the heart feel a little better in a bittersweet kind of way. Glad you are safe but sorry that it has to hurt so much knowing how much so many around you are hurting.
Maggie’s Mind’s last blog post..On the Go
I dont know how long it will be…but maybe some time soon we will be able to smile again and really feel happy. Right now though, my thoughts are with you and your family Kelley and every body who in way or another has been totally devastated by these bushfires. We will never forget.
It’s just so wrong. So so wrong. I hope they find the bastards.
Kylie’s last blog post..Fashion Dos and Don’ts
I’m glad to know you’re safe. You’re in my thoughts, as are the many others affected.
I’m so glad that you are safe. You and yours. And that koala. Thank you, for showing us that.
lceel’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Almost
My heart hurts for those who have lost so much. I’m so glad you and your family are ok. (((HUGS)))
Félicitations à toutes et tous.
From across the world, our thoughts are with you and yours.
Kevin Phoenix’s last blog post..Paris Couture Week
Breaks my heart to read this and to know what’s going on there. I am so glad you and your family is safe.
foradifferentkindofgirl (fadkog)’s last blog post..‘and when I fall asleep, i don’t think i’ll survive the night (the night)’
That may well be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in a bush.
Stay well, good luck with the clean up operations.
Xbox4NappyRash’s last blog post..Press release
So relieved to know you are safe. Hugs to you all.
Casdok’s last blog post..Shrek Rap – The Single. Brought to life.
This post made me cry. Your writing has been beautiful the last few days, and really made me feel the sorrow of what’s happening to your home. I’ve been thinking of you and your family & friends every day. Hopefully it’s time to start the healing.
I spoke to a Mom in my playgroup who is from the other side of Australia, and I didn’t realize before that the fires were started by arsonists. How unbelievably horrible. I guess it’s probably not likely they will catch them, but I hope that those people get whatever is coming to them.
Rachael’s last blog post..Heads or Tails: Love is in the Air
I totally teared up that the firefighters gave the koala water. How selfless. I’m praying for you guys. I am relieved you are safe, but I know you are waking up to a new kind of normal.
Hugs, Kelley.
It will take time.
tiff’s last blog post..A small bit of good.
Love you darlin’.
Ree’s last blog post..Back in the Saddle Again
Thank you for providing the link to the Australian Red Cross. I’ve been wondering what I could do to help. I’m so sorry for all the ugliness in your world right now.
Hey Kelley, So glad to hear you and yours are safe. And thank you for posting the link to the Red Cross .. the only thing making me more angry than news stories about arsonists is the stories about scam artists posing as donation collectors. So if you’re overseas and wanting to help please please PLEASE use a reputable site (like the Red Cross) to make your donation, don’t let your hard earned money end up in the pockets of some worthless piece of shit scumbag. (end of sermon – my apologies)
Glad you and your family are safe. It makes me so angry that people can do something like this deliberately, but the generosity and willingness of everyone else has been amazing.
(((hugs))). My thoughts are with you right now.
Barbara’s last blog post..43/365 – A Basket of Roses
I’m so heartbroken for the Aussies right now. You are all most certainly in our thoughts and prayers during this traumatic time. Stay strong, and be well.
I’d hear about that video but hadn’t had a chance to see it before now, so thank you for that. And thank you also for the link to Red Cross.
I am also glad that you’re okay and terribly sorry for those who have lost so much. I spent some time in Victoria last year and feel a connection with it; my heart breaks for this senseless tragedy.
I understand your feelings of guilt, but you have lost something, too, and it’s OK to feel the way you do.
Maura/MoBu67’s last blog post..Year of Living Generously Update
This wonderful man was on every single TV in America…what a blessed soul, what a hero…
If the authorities don’t find the vicious cretins that started the fires, they (the fire starters)WILL one day have their come uppance…we may not know about it, but THEY most surely will, and it won’t be a pretty thing.
So glad that you are OK…so very sad for those who lost so much, and so already helping with donations.
hotmamamia’s last blog post..Ta-ta for now
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