True, Typhoon Ondoy's relentless rains flooded my room (see above)--my one-storey house--yesterday until the water reached around my knees, but I feel so thankful and lucky. I know people who barely and literally kept their heads or shoulders above water when the flood rushed in.
True, Typhoon Ondoy totally ruined some precious documents--certain issues of publications where (most of) my stories first saw print, for instance--but I still feel so thankful and lucky. I imagine all those people who lost far more valuable things--certificates, passports, letters from loved ones--never to be recovered.
True, Typhoon Ondoy destroyed some possessions my family held dear, but I remain thankful and lucky. I think of all those men and women who lost cars and clothes, even houses. I think of those who lost a loved one--or worse, those who lost their own lives.
True, Typhoon Ondoy, in one way or another, vomitted all the collected filth and grime that has been clogging our gutters, but in a strange way I feel thankful that it did. What choice do we have except to clean it up, to clean up after ourselves, to clean up our act? Isn't that a terrific lesson the storm has taught us? I think we should all be grateful for that alone.
