I have spent the last few days glued to the internet and CNN. I am and news junkie on a good day, so the news of my home state drowning in both the small and the mighty rivers was enough to put me over the edge.
First let me say that my family and friends are, all things considered, lucky. Some wet basements here and there. Ruined backyard gardens and rained out activities. Some missed doctors appointments due to bridge closures, but over all they were lucky. For that I am grateful.
And yet Iowa being what it is, I do know someone who knows someone who lost their house in the Parkersburg tornado, and someone else who knew a boy at the boy scout camp in Eastern Iowa. I'm sure as I catch up with old friends over the summer I'll hear more tales of near misses and 'did you know that so-and-so lost....' Because that is Iowa, one great big small town scattered across 99 counties
Personal reflections on the places I know:
Iowa City was my home away from home for most of my childhood, I had many a surgery there. I know the halls of the "old" hospital well, and wonder if the murals painted for the amusment of children passing thru the basement catacombs (to avoid the extreme Iowa winters/summers) to get from the "old" to the "new" survived? No way to replace those. Those flooded dormitories? They hold different memories of partying with friends on weekend getaways.
Cedar Falls was the first town to capture national attention as they rallied and saved the town w/a massive sandbagging effort. It was also my college town. I still have friends teaching at the University of Northern Iowa. I walked along the Cedar River and attended many an improptu concert in Sturgis Falls Park. While the town was saved, I understand the landscape of the park is changed forever.
Cedar Rapids is just another town to me, but still I know those people, because Iowa is one of those places where you just 'know' everyone. So, I feel these are my neighbors and weep with them as their beloved downtown washes away. I know all these families who are wondering just where to begin as they stare at their flooded homes. Homes awash with mud and scattered dreams. My thoughts and prayers are theirs this weekend.
And then there is Des Moines, my hometown. I played in Birland park, now a giant swimming hole, flooded wihen the levee broke. I attended many a football games at North High School. My father worked downtown so I know those flooded street names very well. Saylorville dam was popular make out destination and to see those waters rushing over the spillway is surreal.
It has been over 20 years since I lived in Iowa, but she is always home to me. And I hope my home can recover.
