Like many other families in the West End, we were impacted by the horrible flooding last week. When my husband, Bus, and I realized the devastation in our basement and garage I think we sort of just went into shock. When Pastor Tara Lyn from Grace@Calvary called and asked what we needed I didn’t know, it was all so overwhelming. She came over in her “mud clothes,” put on her gloves and down in the basement we went.

We had construction bags donated by First United Methodist Church. Everything was wet and heavy. I was standing on the side porch taking a break when I noticed Pastor Tara talking to a man on the front lawn. Then my lawn was full of folks I didn’t know. When Jason Beckwith turned to me and said, “We’re here to help you, where do we start?” well, I lost it.

They did not just unload the entire basement, they got it all to the street so it could be removed by flatbed and a roll-off dumpster. There is no way my husband and I could have handled this alone due to age and health issues.

Our deepest thanks to: Jason Beckwith, Jen Hoffman, Ron Benjamin, Anthony Riegel, Danny Nichols, James Cunningham, Chris Brooks, Adam Christy, Leslie Osche and Donna Jenereski. Tani’s Pizza for providing pizza for everyone. Shayne, Jan, Emily and Heather from Grace for the wonderful meals as we have no gas to cook. Mary Lou for the gloves, paper towels, disinfectant wipes and bleach. The lady in a car who just stopped, popped her trunk and gave us more bags and laundry detergent. To Miss Jennifer and Miss Tanya for the gifts of art supplies for our granddaughter Lily and the yummy meal from Miss Tanya. They are both teachers at Center Township Elementary.

Pastor Tara Lyn got the ball rolling by making so many calls her cell phone had to be smoking. Not just getting us so much help but getting down and dirty herself right next to us in the basement. Doing the walk, not just the talk.

And to my oldest son Brian and his lovely wife Elana. They took Lily, our 8-year-old granddaughter that we are raising, home with them after coming into town in the middle of the night to alert us of the flooding. Bri found a sump pump and got it going for me. He kept apologizing for not getting here to help but I explained that his gift of keeping his niece entertained, away from this horrible physical and emotional mess, was a huge help.

Yes, we lost the furnace, hot water tank, freezer filled with food, washer and dryer and my beloved 30 year old Beemer. (Yes, I cried myself sick when I picked up my license plates). But you know what? The blessings have far outweighed any loss.

“Action in recovery” not only helped us but other families as well. The fire department, the Red Cross, (thank you for the cleanup kit, fan and blankets) neighbors helping neighbors. That, my friends, is what Butler is all about.