I'm from East TN too, and there is something about the devastation of the land and its people that hurts my very soul and sits in my bones. I have seen such a beautiful outpouring of God's mercy and am continuing to see what ways I can help, even though we live over 100 miles away now. Thank you for putting it all so eloquently.
i cannot even begin to fathom how devastated i would be if my earthly home, and other such places dear to me, were destroyed like this—and that’s not even to mention the heartbreaking loss of life. please know i am praying for you and all those affected. may the Lord be a source of comfort in this chapter of darkness and grief🤎
A Charlottean here who has visited those mountains many times in our thirty years here. Our hearts go out to all those suffering in the mountains. We've sent some aid, but it is never enough in times like these. Hang in there!
Oh Breanne. I'm so grateful your family is okay. I've been trying to find words to write a post myself...
I've spent time at a little ministry on the side of the mountain in Black Mountain North Carolina, and while sitting there on the porch this summer realized it's my Rivendell. The peaceful place I go to be restored.
I've been wanting to write about it ever since... Then the hurricane happened (the organization and property are okay - along with my best friends who moved there this year - but the road completely washed away 100 feet beyond the driveway).
Last Thursday as I watched ROP episode 8, I too had tears streaming down my face at Poppy's words. And then when it ended with the shot of what would become Rivendell... It was overwhelming.
Prayers are being sent up daily. I know exactly how this feels. I’ve lived through Katrina when I lived in Slidell, LA and the 2016 flood at my current home in Denham Springs, LA. A team from my church will be heading towards Asheville either tonight or tomorrow to cook and bring some supplies. My heart aches for everyone affected.
I can imagine it must feel like the ‘Scouring of the Shire’. Tolkien himself would have known the feeling all too well after the war. You’ve won, the people you love are more or less safe, but what was home is now destroyed. In the end though, through the hard work of the people who loved that home, it would come back better than before. Appalachia, and all the east coast, will have its “proper 1420” year soon. Praying for all those affected by the storm.
A fellow Carolina gal here, too. Born & raised in Buncombe county, NC. Watching this all unfold from the Dakota prairie has been incredibly difficult. Feeing so helpless, so far away. Thankful my family that still lives there is safe—but like you said, so many lives, homes, roads, communities—forever altered. It’s devastating. Lovey post. Thank you!
Thank you Breanne. So grateful to you for guidance to get me to contribute to relief efforts (which I did). You are using this forum so effectively & have such a powerful capacity to get others (me in this instance) to take action rather than sitting by helplessly. God bless you & everyone involved with this recovery. The land will heal, the people need help now.
I'm so sorry, Breanne. It's terrifying to know the ferocity and intensity, and mostly for me, the speed that it all happens. I wish you, and all those that are hurting, comfort and kindness.
Hi Breanne. I am feeling the pain along with you. I grew up in Walland in East Tennessee. Both my parents grew up on the NC side of the Smoky Mountains. I first read Tolkien when I was 14. I had always hiked the hills and hollers, but after Tolkien, a new dimension was added to those walks. For the last 40 years I have lived in Colorado among different mountains, but still middle earth. But those cool, green, wooded hills of Appalachia live deep in my heart. The stories and pictures of the devastation break my heart. Thankfully, all my family are doing ok. I am headed back next week to help in whatever small way. I know seeing the aftermath first hand will hurt, but I need to be there. I hope your hurt will heal, but like all grief, it becomes part of us. Appalachia has been wounded, but it will go on nurturing and being nurtured by its family wherever they may be. It lives forever in our hearts.
Thank you for this post. I also grew up in Appalachia and was also told my whole life that the mountains protected us. It is gut wrenching to see such damage from the storm so big that even the mountains could not withstand it. I live in Texas now, and I have felt so helpless watching from a distance. Thank you for the links. Sending back home all the love and prayers.
I'm from East TN too, and there is something about the devastation of the land and its people that hurts my very soul and sits in my bones. I have seen such a beautiful outpouring of God's mercy and am continuing to see what ways I can help, even though we live over 100 miles away now. Thank you for putting it all so eloquently.
i cannot even begin to fathom how devastated i would be if my earthly home, and other such places dear to me, were destroyed like this—and that’s not even to mention the heartbreaking loss of life. please know i am praying for you and all those affected. may the Lord be a source of comfort in this chapter of darkness and grief🤎
A Charlottean here who has visited those mountains many times in our thirty years here. Our hearts go out to all those suffering in the mountains. We've sent some aid, but it is never enough in times like these. Hang in there!
Oh Breanne. I'm so grateful your family is okay. I've been trying to find words to write a post myself...
I've spent time at a little ministry on the side of the mountain in Black Mountain North Carolina, and while sitting there on the porch this summer realized it's my Rivendell. The peaceful place I go to be restored.
I've been wanting to write about it ever since... Then the hurricane happened (the organization and property are okay - along with my best friends who moved there this year - but the road completely washed away 100 feet beyond the driveway).
Last Thursday as I watched ROP episode 8, I too had tears streaming down my face at Poppy's words. And then when it ended with the shot of what would become Rivendell... It was overwhelming.
Prayers are being sent up daily. I know exactly how this feels. I’ve lived through Katrina when I lived in Slidell, LA and the 2016 flood at my current home in Denham Springs, LA. A team from my church will be heading towards Asheville either tonight or tomorrow to cook and bring some supplies. My heart aches for everyone affected.
I can imagine it must feel like the ‘Scouring of the Shire’. Tolkien himself would have known the feeling all too well after the war. You’ve won, the people you love are more or less safe, but what was home is now destroyed. In the end though, through the hard work of the people who loved that home, it would come back better than before. Appalachia, and all the east coast, will have its “proper 1420” year soon. Praying for all those affected by the storm.
A fellow Carolina gal here, too. Born & raised in Buncombe county, NC. Watching this all unfold from the Dakota prairie has been incredibly difficult. Feeing so helpless, so far away. Thankful my family that still lives there is safe—but like you said, so many lives, homes, roads, communities—forever altered. It’s devastating. Lovey post. Thank you!
Sending love to you across the miles. We all hope you can find peace and healing.
Thank you Breanne. So grateful to you for guidance to get me to contribute to relief efforts (which I did). You are using this forum so effectively & have such a powerful capacity to get others (me in this instance) to take action rather than sitting by helplessly. God bless you & everyone involved with this recovery. The land will heal, the people need help now.
Thank you for sharing these lovely words and resources! I grew up in Banner Elk and it has been heartbreaking to watch the devastation from afar.
Thank you for sharing Breanne. Glad to help locally in TN!
Thank you, Molly!
I'm so sorry, Breanne. It's terrifying to know the ferocity and intensity, and mostly for me, the speed that it all happens. I wish you, and all those that are hurting, comfort and kindness.
Yes, it happened SO FAST. I don't think people understand the power of flash flooding like this. It's absolutely catastrophic.
Hi Breanne. I am feeling the pain along with you. I grew up in Walland in East Tennessee. Both my parents grew up on the NC side of the Smoky Mountains. I first read Tolkien when I was 14. I had always hiked the hills and hollers, but after Tolkien, a new dimension was added to those walks. For the last 40 years I have lived in Colorado among different mountains, but still middle earth. But those cool, green, wooded hills of Appalachia live deep in my heart. The stories and pictures of the devastation break my heart. Thankfully, all my family are doing ok. I am headed back next week to help in whatever small way. I know seeing the aftermath first hand will hurt, but I need to be there. I hope your hurt will heal, but like all grief, it becomes part of us. Appalachia has been wounded, but it will go on nurturing and being nurtured by its family wherever they may be. It lives forever in our hearts.
I also grew up in Appalachia and you have written down the emotions I’ve been feeling for days. Love to you. Hillbillies Forever.
I'm sorry you know what this feels like but you're definitely not alone. ❤️
Thank you for this post. I also grew up in Appalachia and was also told my whole life that the mountains protected us. It is gut wrenching to see such damage from the storm so big that even the mountains could not withstand it. I live in Texas now, and I have felt so helpless watching from a distance. Thank you for the links. Sending back home all the love and prayers.
Thank you for such a beautiful, heart-wrenching post. And thank you for the action items. Sending you and your family love and prayers.