I am busy cleaning up my city from the flood of '08. So really, i guess i have no right to complain about not having computer access, when some of my best friends and family no longer have a house... so basically, no one can go downtown unless you have permission by the city or state.. but i feel really bad for those who lost everything....I mean, can you imagen being forced out of your house in a mandatory evacuation, no time to grab anything, sleeping among people you dont know in a temporary shelter, watching the news, and seeing your house underwater, or your couch floating away...it just makes me sick thinking about it! But even worse would be coming back to your house a week later only to see a red piece of paper with a big black X through it meaning you cannot enter your own house, and that it must be demolished...how can someone deal with that?
Me? well im one of the lucky ones who didnt suffer anything from the flood (im on the outside of town on a hill) so all i can do is help friends clean up their houses -if they can- and help raise money for the flood victims.

the thing i find the sadest is when the majority of the donators around here are those who dont have anything left...only the clothes on their back and they still are giving and doing everything that they can. And then you see little kids bringing their piggy banks to the donation tables, giving all of their saved money for that doll they wanted, to the relief of the flood of '08.

my favorite story, though, is the one that i overheard a little girl who was one of the victims, talking to a red cross lady, and telling her that she didnt mind loosing all of her toys and clothes, but that she missed her baby blanket that her aunt had made her...I thought that the red cross lady was going to cry when the little girl said that--i know i almost did!

the most amazing thing is how all of those affected by this terrible disaster can still manage to smile, and i personally believe that Iowa has become closer to everyone because of what happened to all of us.


Driving through downtown CR, you see all of the buildings that were destroyed, my dads work, the Paramount theatre, even the old Dairy Queen. But then, on every build board and sign, you see things like- "WE love you Cedar Rapids" or "WE are all in this together". Its enough to make everyone cry everytime you see it. Friends helping friends, neighbors helping neighbors, and strangers helping strangers- the community has really come together- and we will all stay strong through it all.

If you would like other stories or information dealing with the Flood of '08, Cedar Rapids IA, or how you can help the victims, just comment, email, or message me. Anything is better than nothing.

My friends and family have all come together and made a poem dedicated to the Flood of '08 called Forever Lost which is now available to be read on Tokyopop.