Mud Out…

In October 2005 I had the privilege of going to Biloxi Mississippi with a relief organization to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

When I say I was “privileged” it is because I came home feeling in many ways the people I went to help ended up helping me more than I helped them.

One of the main jobs we had in our 2 weeks down South was appropriately termed a “mud out”.

The people we helped lived in houses that at one time were completely under water from the storm surge.

This means everything inside their home was now virtually worthless.

A mud out entails our crew taking all of these people’s belongings still soaking wet and beginning to be covered in mold and carry it to the road where we leave it in a huge trash heap for the municipality to come and remove.

After the house was empty we would then remove all the drywall, cupboards, appliances, flooring, ceiling and insulation so when we were done there was only bare floor and studs left.

What amazed me was how while we were working, usually the homeowners would be sitting on the lawn watching…sometimes we would come across a wedding picture or a personal item that was still salvageable so we would bring it to the man or woman of the house and they would act as if they had just won the lottery.

They were so grateful for us being there, they were so thankful for all our work, they called us “angels” and answers to their prayers…

They weren’t focused on the fact that what little they had was being carried to a trash heap but rather they were focused on what they still did have and were so incredibly thankful for it.

This touched my heart very deeply and now almost 6 years later I often am reminded of these wonderful people when I feel stress and am tempted to complain.

I am reminded to be thankful for what I do have and not complain about what I lost or “think” I need.

He enjoys much who is thankful for little; a grateful mind is both a great and happy mind. Anonymous

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