Give thanks in all things!
As I was sitting here thinking of what to write for this blog, I was also communicating with friends in the neighbouring island of Barbados. As I write this, the beautiful island surrounded by aquamarine waters has been covered by a blanket of volcanic ash since Saturday coming from the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano in St Vincent which erupted on Friday. The volcano is the highest peak on the tiny island of St Vincent & the Grenadines and last erupted in 1979.
St Vincent has a population of just over 111,000 people and has relied on tourism in the main for economic sustainability. Several celebrities have island homes on their sister isles of Bequia and Mustique. Today, the islands lie under a heavy blanket of grey ash, with power outages and water supplies cut off. Thousands of people had to be evacuated to emergency shelters and to safer neighbouring islands with reports of people taking strangers into their homes so they could have somewhere to stay. Some 16,000 people who lived closest to the volcano hurriedly made an exit with barely time to grab a few pieces of clothes. Scientists warn that eruptions could continue for days - or even weeks. The island's Prime Minister gave a tearful speech thanking all the emergency responders from islands north and south, that have rallied to the aid of the severely affected island.
My message to WA affiliates today as you sit in your corner of the world wherever that may be, is to spare a moment to be thankful. Whether it's Sunday or Monday in your neck of the woods, it might be spring and there are flowers blooming and leaves coming back onto trees just outside your door. It might be raining or blazing rays of sunshine hitting the rooftops or the concrete sidewalks. You might be sitting in your back garden having a cup of tea or watching your kids as they play within the safe confines of your home. Give thanks!
"Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." Melody Beattie
Cheers!
Maria
Recent Comments
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I was talking about the St Vincent Grenadine volcano with Simone yesterday, God be with the inhabitants affected 🙏
With the covid era and all the other issues plaguing the world, I give thanks every day, even more so now 🤞
Definitely! There's so much going on already so whatever challenges we might be facing, there's still plenty reason to give thanks.
The scale of devastation is quite wrenching The physical and economic damage to property, animals, vegetation, water supply, engines, the people themselves, sea life is going to be staggering for the island. We do need to keep them in our prayers and send them as much support as is possible.
Hugh
It truly is quite a devastating natural disaster for such a beautiful small island. Thankfully other islands have mobilised to get much needed aid. Amazing how life can change in the blink of an eye.
Those poor people! Time to keep them all in our prayers and watch for other opportunities to assist.
Yes there are channels to assist in terms of non perishable items, toiletries etc as well as financial support.
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I try and make a point every morning to be thankful for what and who surrounds me with joy and love. My heart goes out to all those people and for everyone suffering over the pandemic and loss of family. The world is a harsh place but together we can make it wonderful as God intended it to be xx