The car was packed. We were ready to make the drive from Virginia to Florida.
In the car were boxes of supplies to make centerpieces for my friend’s wedding. Dad’s suitcase – he was coming down to celebrate his 91st birthday. Our halloween decorations, because we had started a little competition with the neighbors and we were determined to out decorate them this year. A tub full of nicknacks that were to help me feel at home in my future home.
The wind blew and the tides rose and it was all swept and blown away. All the hopes and dreams for so many. Our future retirement home, tattered and torn, but still standing we are luckier than so many. Heartbroken and defeated. We haven’t found our determination to rebuild our future.
It will take a lot of time and effort for our community to move forward. The infrastructure is gone. Water, sewer, electric, cell towers. All the many things that make a community run.
In the photo above, that’s the bridge that we cross to go into our little community on Pine Island. Matlacha is the village that I fell in love with and where I planned to grow old selling my art and Charles was going to take up fishing. It is an artist colony and a fishing community. All the business were small, family owned, not corporations.
I think in the past when I have seen natural disasters on TV I felt heartbreak and sadness but a certain disconnect. Now that this has happened to my home, my people, my community. I am completely overcome by trauma and grief, that I find hard to wrap my head around. I also have a feeling of guilt, for being numb to past disasters. I’m angry at myself for not being able to fully embrace gratitude for what we still have.
I would like to do something, to help and therefore I have chosen to donate to directrelief.org.
For the month of October, I will donate 50% of my proceeds from all sales of my artwork and jewelry, in my Etsy shop and locally at Sweet Art Emporium in Palmyra, to directrelief.org. This is a way for me to make a contribution, and for others to purchase my artwork for a cause. It is just a small effort, but I feel like it is the right thing for me to do.
I hope that you are safe and with your loved ones.
Best,
Kim
Red Dirt Farm and Studio 
Wow Kim, I’m so sorry you’ve been touched by this disaster. Your art is free spirited and beautiful, I hope you can keep it up no matter where you are.
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Thank you Penny, I needed to hear some encouragement. Best, Kim
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One of the things I adore about you is that you walk your talk. Making a contribution to relief efforts through your beautiful artwork while your own heart is aching says so much about the kind of person you are.
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Oh Judith, I’m not walking I’m stumbling and feeling as though I’m falling short. Last night was another sleepless night and I was full of unease and thinking I should pull this post, for fear people would misunderstand my intentions. My head is full of a lot of negative thoughts right now. I appreciate you being supportive. Hugs, Kim
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I am glad you didn’t pull the post. People who care about you want to offer support in whatever way they can. Your willingness to share what has happened gives them that opportunity. Just know there are many of us out here holding you in our thoughts.
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Hi Kim… I am so, so sorry to hear this… it is a tragedy for you and so many others. I wasn’t sure where you were on the west coast, so didn’t know if you were impacted. I cannot imagine the hard choices that lie ahead… and to think you were all ready to make this move to what would have been the perfect retirement community. Heartbroken for you… we have donated to various funds for recovery, and you are so amazing to be doing this with your artwork. xo
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Thank you my friend for your words of encouragement and for donating. It’s going to take so much time for the community pick up the pieces and for us to decide what is best for us. Thank you for sharing your words. Xo kim
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Grieve, but try not to get stuck in the muck of grief! Your art and donations will help you heal. May you still find the strength to rebuild, better and stronger!
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Your kind words are held to my heart, thank you so much. Be well – Kim
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I am so sorry to hear that, but nothing I say will make things better for you and how you are feeling right now, which is terrible in so many ways; however, this is your defining moment. God bless you and keep you, give you the strength and comfort you and your husband need, as well as the vision to keep on going.
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Oh my goodness but your words do matter. Actually “defining moment” wow that’s powerful, perhaps exactly the reminder I needed to hear to move forward. Thank you from my heart! Xo, kim
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God bless.
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I was thinking of you when the storm hit. I am so sorry my friend. We also have contributed. Please know I am praying for you and hubby. Much love, Debra
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Kim, I’m so sorry to read this post. When weather forecasters were pinpointing Hurricane Ian, I did wonder if you would be affected and I should have reached out. That is a nice gesture you are making with your October donations to the relief effort. What a tragedy for so many people. Take care Kim.
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