Novotney: ‘The Hurt Is Like Nothing Else Ever Felt’

It’s a blank stare. You can’t miss it. It haunts you. You can’t help but feel the same sadness when you see it.

And it’s going to be there until they know their future. Not “tomorrow” future, but “next month-next-year-long-term” future. They have to know they’re safe. Like they were before the fatal flooding on June 14^th swept away nine lives and millions of dollars of irreplaceable memories.

Instead, little looks familiar. Their homes are gone or badly damaged, and all of their favorite belongings are gone for good. Photos, mementos, souvenirs, clothes, ballcaps, pillows, shoes, photos; everything. And for nearly two weeks, they’ve been doing what they’ve had to do to clean, demolish, salvage, and to try. They have to try.

Some lost family and, of course, that’s forever. They didn’t get the last hug or kiss or even to say goodbye, and the tears are quick because it’s all still too damn fresh. The hurt is like nothing else ever felt, and we all will mourn for our family and friends.

It’s a blank stare, and it’s going to be around a while. Life needs figured, and there’s nothing normal they’ll be able to find for quite some time. That’s where our neighbors are right now whether they were hit in Valley Grove, Triadelphia, along Peter’s Run, or in Elm Grove, and many of us can relate because we’ve had our lives change in a swift, unforgettable moment.

Those who haven’t experienced such tragedy should feel very fortunate because it’s an abrupt interruption of everything in motion in your life.

And because it gives you the blank stare.

Let’s be sure not to forget our friends.

It’s a blank stare. You can’t miss it. You can’t help but feel the same sadness when you see it.

And it’s going to be there until they know their future. Not “tomorrow” future, but “next month-next-year-long-term” future. They have to know they’re safe. Like they were before the fatal flooding on June 14^th swept away nine lives and millions of dollars of irreplaceable memories.

Instead, little looks familiar. Their homes are gone or badly damaged, and all of their favorite belongings are gone for good. Photos, mementos, souvenirs, clothes, ballcaps, pillows, shoes, photos; everything. And for nearly two weeks, they’ve been doing what they’ve had to do to clean, demolish, salvage, and to try. They have to try.

Some lost family and, of course, that’s forever. They didn’t get the last hug or kiss or even to say goodbye, and the tears are quick because it’s all still too damn fresh. The hurt is like nothing else felt ever.

It’s a blank stare, and it’s going to be around a while. Life needs figured, and there’s nothing normal they’ll be able to find for quite some time. That’s where our neighbors are right now whether they were hit in Valley Grove, Triadelphia, along Peter’s Run, or in Elm Grove, and many of us can relate because we’ve had our lives change in a swift, unforgettable moment.

Those who haven’t experienced such tragedy should feel very fortunate because it’s an abrupt interruption of everything in motion, and because it changes the angle at which you look at life.

And because it gives you the blank stare.

Let’s be sure not to forget our friends.