Fires around us

Comment by Tom Walls on February 9, 2009 at 10:16pm

Sandy your family and all of those down under in harms way are definitely in all of our thoughts and prayers. Be safe.

Comment by Sandy (Pinkston) Starbuck on February 10, 2009 at 2:07am

Hi Tom - thanks for your comment - so many people gone, young people, friends of my kids, so utterly sad and the fires continue to burn. Hope that everyone there have recovered from your recent ice storms. Thanks again for your kind words.

Comment by Tennie Holloway Phinney on February 11, 2009 at 7:05am

Sandy, please keep us updated. I am worried about you and your family. I am hoping the fires are under control by now. I am so sorry to hear about your friends. Any update on the kids' friends? Your pool should be an asset for water if you need it. Be careful!!! Ten

Comment by Sandy (Pinkston) Starbuck on February 12, 2009 at 6:59pm

Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers - we are ok, just smoke and ash everywhere, no rain but loads of ash to get off our cars as we drive! Some of friends are gone, some have lost everything, but are thankful for all the support from the community, near and far! Look forward to posting some good news soon. I'll always remember my 50th birthday, that's for sure.

Comment by Karla (Hanna) Clark on February 21, 2009 at 9:00am

Sandy,

When I saw the news about the fires I immediately thought of you and your family and hoped that you were not near any of the danger areas but as I am not an expert on the geography of Australia I was not sure. I am sorry to hear of the losses of so many lives and homes. It all seems so senseless for something like that to happen, but I think about the wildfires that they seem to have in California every year and do not know how that happens year after year either. You are in our thought and prayers and we look forward to seeing you this summer.

Karla

Comment by mark speake on February 21, 2009 at 6:42pm

Sandy how are things now? Is the recovery catching up with the disaster? Hope you and your family are all okay. I hope you are still able to make it to the reunion. It was really great last year to see everyone and catch up. Good luck, and our prayers are with you all down under. Mark Speake

Comment by Patsy Wood on February 22, 2009 at 3:50pm

Sandy,
We said we wanted out 50th Birthdays to be memorable, but we didn't mean this way. You have all been in our prayers from the start. We have a young man who is on our Grizzlies Basketball team Missouri State University-West Plains, who came to West Plains in January. He is from Peruth. With the contact with his family and friends Kyle has been able to keep me posted as to how things are going in your area. We have adopted Kyle as our kids while he is attending the University here. He is a darling.
Can't wait to see you and give you a big ole hug!!!

Comment by Sandy (Pinkston) Starbuck on February 22, 2009 at 9:39pm

This is just great - to get such support and compassion from all of is so great. The weekend was a bit tough with the memorial service of our friends, David and Carole, which was very sad. There kids went through school with 2 of my boys and we got to know to them pretty well especially since David was from California. It was a beautiful service, the kids were great. On Sunday we had a National Day of Mourning which will be recognized each year with a moments silence. I thought the service was wonderful - it was very uplifting and positive and embraced all our cultures and faiths which make Australia such a wonderful place. Our friends who have lost their homes and getting a lot of support and my son and husband have been working with the awful task of demolishing what is left of homes, burying cattle and horses, which is heartwrenching. But for us we are thankful - praying that this next bout of extreme heat will not let the fires be out of control. There are alot still burning and the area about 10 miles from us is on look out as the fires on contained but a shift of wind can see them jump the containment lines. In any case we are getting used to the smoke and the ash, but also praying each night for the continued safety and comfort to those who are in need. Thank you again - and so looking forward to our trip in May!

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