MsCowgirl's Journal

Last night such needed rain came to Victoria, not totally putting out all of the fires, but enough to buy some time. Emergency tent cities have been erected to house the homeless, donations are rolling in from around the country of immediatly needed items such as clothes, blankets, food, mattresses, nappies, even really basic stuff like toothbrushes, soap, towels and even petfood.

Events like this make you sit up and really examine what you would do if faced with not only losing loved ones, but finding you are the proud owner of literally the clothes you stand in, and nothing else. Donations through the Red Cross had already reached $55million and tonight a Telethon for the bushfire victims has already raised another $28million. It's staggering and amazing to see the generosity of people from all around the globe who have/are helping out.  Sometimes we feel such a small nation, so far from the mainstream; it's good to know in times like this we really can act as one. Thanks to eveyone's government for their help with emergency crews and donations.

What has really struck a cord with me, is the absolute bravery and courage of people when faced with adversity. For the first few days, you could see the vacant look of shock on victims faces; that distant look that tells you their mind is elsewhere right now. But through the shocking stories, there are examples of such courage. People risking their lives to help others evacuate, emergency workers who have not slept for three days, neighbours ensuring their mates were OK, people trying to rescue or ensure animals could at least flee the fires; the list goes on and there are just not enough bravery medals go around.

There are many volunteers like the Country Fire Association, and even workers like the Police Forensic Team who will, along with the victims need lots of emotional support to live out the rest of their lives. They have seen such terrible things and I really feel for them all.  But you know the saying "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" - through this terrible event that's still not over, there is an air of resilience and determination to mvoe forward, a special caring sense of our family and friends, and true and clear appreciation of life itself .