Shoulder to shoulder

Jim and I were talking yesterday about how volatile the weather normally seems to be around this time of year. The December/January (and into February sometimes) seems to be when we get the floods, cyclones and bushfires. I guess it's just Mother Nature just doing what she does, but we all do seem to always be surprised by it. Is it getting any worse as the years go on? I don't know. I don't know enough about the theories behind Global Warming to be able to make postulations about whether or not all this is due to that. My brother Lane is very cynical about the notion of Global Warming. He believes the earth has gone through changes in weather patterns like this ever since creation and sees all written material stating otherwise as a load of propaganda. I sit on the fence with it all and prefer not to get into the argument for fear of looking like a fool in my ignorance. 

Whatever the case, we're all charged with taking care of the earth and it's inhabitants, whether that be animal, vegetable or mineral. Sometimes I think we've done a poor job of it............

Anyway, it was dark and wet when I arrived in the city this morning. Really dark. I mean it was 8:30am and it looked more like 5:30pm in the middle of winter....and although it was wet like the middle of winter, it certainly wasn't cold. I reneged on the walk and took the tram instead. It still didn't stop me from getting wet!

I was having a look through the Herald Sun this morning and have been inspired by some of the stories of courage and bravery, both by the victims of the flood crisis in Queensland and their rescuers. I've also been looking at the news and seeing the efforts of the volunteers at the Refuge Centres who have given up time just to be there, serve food, be a comfort, entertain children. It touches me to hear of stories of the selflessness of the victims as well...each going out of their way to help a neighbour even though they haev lost everything themselves. Stories of mateship and cameraderie have always touched my heart and make me believe in the basic goodness of the human hear. Yes, there have also been stories of looters and profiteerers, but I believe that these people are in the minority and it's only because they make so much noise and attract attention that we hear about them.

I for one, want to pay more attention to the people who are standing shoulder to shoulder and supporting each other....the ones who are doing good and showing the spirit that made this country one of the best places to live.