Friday, July 31, 2009

Water

Sometimes when I feel like using this to make a hot cup of tea...





I wish this water would come out faster...





But living in the Alaskan bush, I am reminded that not everyone turns on the tap and gets an endless supply of fresh water. While in Alaska, water is hauled from a water plant in the village which makes fresh and clean drinking water available with the turn of a hose.



A gallon of water weighs 8 pounds.



Most villagers carry their water tubs home on 4-wheelers.



I tried hauling water once on foot, a pot full, and nearly passed out.




Hauling water from the plant is hard work.



But then I am reminded...




...that there are people in other parts of the world who don't have water plants, or 4-wheelers, or men to haul water...



...and they probably simply wish for a water source closer to home or a way to haul the heavy water besides their heads.


And then I think that this person...






...would give anything for a fresh water source, no matter how far he had to haul the water.





...and I come home and turn on this again.




And I am overcome with how ungrateful I can be at such a miracle.




Clean drinking water, as much as I want, whenever I want.




Without me hauling. Without me filtering.




Humbling.



And I ask God, again, to help me live a life of praise and thanksgiving.
Starting with the filling of my tea pot.



all images from googleimages

4 comments:

patty said...

so beautifully written, cathy! i wish i could sit and share a cup of tea with you and learn all about this adventure you are on. i think it is completely awesome and wonderful.
my children go to a small private school. this summer when we went on our roller coaster run, there was a school there, and the kids were wearing t-shirts that said, 'water-it IS a big deal', kinda urbanish graphics. the school did a fund-raiser to provide fresh water wells for villages in south america. i keep thinking of planting this idea for my kids' school to work on.... your post mght have just pushed me there!
really. beautifully written.

Mrs. Dunbar said...

so very humbling...


when are you coming to california?

Paul said...

You have seen the other side.
Our country is indeed a blessed land...and those who know it best have 'seen the other side'.
I am reminded of a line from Kipling...it does not fit exactly, but it does apply.
He wrote, so long ago, "What do they know of England who only England know?"
It is easy to complain, easy to forget the wonders of our land.
Easy to take so much for granted,
Easy to be ungrateful.
As you so poeticallly point out, there is a world out there that is very different from our world.
Thank you for sharing.

Mrs. C... said...

Wow! It makes me wonder and contemplate whatelse I am taking for granted. We are so blessed, and yet I find myself quickly forgetting the simplest blessings. Please come and have tea with me, so we can chat ;)

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