[Note: “Resources for Clinicians (Part 1)” has been getting a lot of comments. The comments are from people who are not clinicians. I’m surprised, surprised in a good way. You may want to check it out, too].
Last year’s Thanksgiving came in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Many people were still reeling from the losses caused by the storm.
This year’s Thanksgiving comes more than a year later. Many, if not most, people have gotten through the worst.
Let’s take a deep breath and enjoy one of our most beloved holidays. At its heart, Thanksgiving is about “an attitude of gratitude”.
You know what you are thankful for. Maybe you say it out loud. Maybe you keep it to yourself.
Do you have time for a quick read? If so, check out the following:
Thanks to AOL for giving us a place to post decor photos:
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Thanks to Edgar A. Guest for giving us a poem:
When Turkey's on the table laid, And good things I may scan, I'm thankful that I wasn't made A vegetarian.
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Thanks to Suite101.com for giving us this “fowl Thanksgiving joke“:
A class of third graders were asked to write what they were most thankful for. Jessica wrote, "I'm thankful I'm not a turkey".
- Thanks to “Boys’ Life” for giving us this joke from Danny Z:
Danny: Why did the cranberries turn red? Jake: Beats me. Danny: Because they saw the turkey dressing!
- Thanks to Verses4Cards for giving us “A Child’s Thanksgiving Prayer”:
Thank you God for all that grows, Thank you for the sky's rainbows, Thank you for the stars that shine, Thank you for these friends of mine, Thank you for the moon and sun, Thank you God for all you’ve done Amen
Thanks to Sandy Storyline for giving us an account of Belle Harbor Manor evacuees.
Do you have a poem, a joke, or a story to share? Thoughts on this year’s Thanksgiving?
There is room below to comment, question, or share. Don’t be shy!
Feeling Safe Again 
I spoke with some individuals who worked at the emergency response reception centres just post-flood for a few wks. They dealt with crying residents who lost a lot of personal possessions/huge chunks of home destroyed, etc. Some homes had to be destroyed: too unsafe to live.
I personally find it incredible some people insist on living in a home with mould/not cleaned up properly..but then, they might have had no choice to live elsewhere.
My understanding is that to these people it is a form of trauma.
Our city is still dealing with it –rebuilding of parks areas, pathways, buildings, etc. The cost is well over 1 billion dollars to the province..
We’ve had 12 floods over the last 100 years.
I understand that Katrina was particularily devasting: I know someone from Calgary who went down to volunteer there for 1 month.
I read your description of the devastation that affected parts of Calgary a couple of times. I find myself feeling overwhelmed.
Research into the emotional effects of natural disasters has shown that, as a group, first responders are “at risk” for post-traumatic stress disorder. The staff at the emergency response reception centres fall into the “first responders” category.
This is, of course, not to say that all or even most first responders will develop PTSD.
Feeling Safe Again is devoted to dealing with the emotional aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and, by extension, with the emotional aftermath of other natural disasters.
Two posts, in particular, are worth reading:
1) “Did Hurricane Sandy Affect You Emotionally?” was published on November 3rd, 2013. It is available at https://feelingsafeagain.com/2013/11/03/still-suffering-post-Sandy
2) “Ten Tips For Emotional Resilience” was published on May 31st, 2013. It is available at https://feelingsafeagain.com/2013/05/31/ten-tips-for-emotional-resilience
In closing, I want to say “thank you” for sharing. As one of the 100,000 evacuees of this summer’s flood in Calgary, you provide an invaluable insider’s view of what happened and the ongoing recovery.
Just today at an early business dinner with colleagues, we were talking about our personal experiences of the river flood in our city, Calgary that evacuated 100,000 people just this past June.
http://cyclewriteblog.wordpress.com/2013/09/03/major-flood-or-disaster-do-transportation-habits-change/
My feelings are in the above and down here through a piece of evolving art ..before and after the flood:
http://cyclewriteblog.wordpress.com/2013/07/21/post-flood-contemplation-art-and-memory-along-the-bow-river-calgary/
I was quite lucky compared to other locals. Still, there were many other people untouched by the flood.
Jean, thank you for visiting Feeling Safe Again. I read your post, “Major Flood or Disaster–Do Transportation Habits Change?”. I had not known about the flood in Calgary and the evacuation of 100,000 people.
I believe that people affected by natural disasters can learn from one another. You confirmed that belief. I hope that other readers read and reflect on your posts.
As you know, I am a psychologist. We all engage in “self-talk”. The language we use influences how we feel.
Did the people of Calgary experience a “major flood” or a “disaster”? Were we “affected by Hurricane Sandy” or are we “victims” or “Superstorm Sandy”?
Mainstream culture–in the United States and in Canada–is car culture. However, your make an important point: Alternate transportation needs to be a part of personal preparedness.
As an avid cyclist, you were tuned in to alternate transportation before the flood. Sad to say, before I read your post, I had not considered bicycling!