If you had to immediately evacuate your home with no way of knowing when you would be able to return, what would you grab with you on the way out? For most of us, this is nothing more than a purely hypothetical exercise in thought. Yet, for the evacuees who shared their stories with us, this was their reality, as they swiftly fled from their homes and communities. While they are all grateful to be alive and sheltered in a place of safety, the split-second decision of what to take and what to leave behind continues to reverberate even weeks later. Having never been faced with this particular dilemma, I am far from confident that I can answer this question with truthfulness and accuracy. However, hearing these firsthand accounts motivates me to, at the very least, take a moment and try.
Undoubtedly, it is an unsettling thought, imagining oneself in such dire circumstances. Yet, I believe it’s an important exercise, forcing ourselves to consider what truly holds value in our lives. It brings to light the importance of cherishing our possessions, not for their material worth, but for the true meaning they carry. So, as I sit here, pondering over what I would grab and go, I realize it’s not just about the items themselves, but about holding onto the fragments of life that define us, even when the rest of the world seems to be falling apart.
To Whom It May Concern 