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3.2.22

COMMUNITY

 

COMMUNITY

Bethany hurried home from work, head bowed against driving rain. The lift was out of action again, and she cursed the fact that she lived on the fourth floor.

She faced another lonely evening in front of the television showing only the usual political shenanigans, and a yellow storm warning.

She was dozing when a shout roused her. “The bridge has gone!” followed by frantic knocking on her door. “We’re flooded out.”

Three families complete with babies, pets, bedding, treasured photos and their interrupted dinners filled her fourth floor flat, and over the next twenty-four hours they became a community.

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I am sure similar things have happened all over the world - people who have lived as neighbours for ages are thrown together by disaster and become firm friends. 

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers. and to Na'ama Yehuda for the atmospheric photo which prompted my story and the others which you can find through Rochelle's blog https://rochellewisoff.com/ 

30 comments:

  1. Trouble does have a way of bringing those stuck in a storm. Draw on life from each other.

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  2. Shelter from the storm (or flood) - great take on this!

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  3. Yes, communities are often forged in shared adversity. Good one, Lizy

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    1. There were volunteers all over our village during lockdown.

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  4. Love this. How people can come together in adversity. A much-needed reminder.

    Anne from annehiga.com

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  5. That's the way to make a whole new raft of friends.

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    1. It is indeed, though if you wanted to emulate Bethany you'd have to learn to control the weather first!

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  6. There are advntages to living on the forth floor as I know only too well, though a flood is something I've not had to endure - yet!

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    1. I prefer ground floor with a garden, though - touch wood - I am not in danger of being flooded here.

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  7. I love this story, Liz. From discomfort and tragedy comes high rescue. :-)

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    1. Thanks Bill. Hopefully Bethany will have more friends after this too.

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  8. what do you know? to beat the blues, it pays to be neighborly. :)

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    1. I am fortunate to have good neighbours, it's does make all the difference.

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  9. Liz there is such a real feeling to your story. I can see where these kinds of situations will be increasing steadily across the globe as Mother Nature rampages against our folly. Good storytelling on a scary topic. I'm glad the MC welcomed them all in to her home.

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    1. Thank you, Jade. I'm sure she also was pleased she'd made them welcome.

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  10. A lovely story of people helping each other when faced with a common threat. What a shame it sometimes takes such situations to bring people together.

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    1. Dramatic situations overcome our natural reticence.

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  11. How brilliant that she was there for them - I'm sure they will make lifelong friendships. Facing trouble together can form a really strong bond.

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  12. The disaster isn't, but the story is beautiful. A wonderful gathering of neighbours helping each other and becoming (like you said) a community. A lovely way to cure her loneliness as well. Nicely done, Liz!

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    1. Thanks, Brenda. There are more floods than there used to be, so this story is becoming reality.

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  13. Dear Liz,

    I love the way the disaster brought neighbors together and made them a community. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Thanks, Rochelle. This pandemic has had a similar effect in many neighbourhoods too.

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  14. I love the idea of this happening. Such a lovely take on the prompt

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    1. Thanks, Dale. I'm sure it's happened more than once, especially since climate change has brought more floods.

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