Julia Ellen

AP Language and Composition

Mr. Walters

5 June 2018

A Flood of Positivity

As our car turns off the windy, West Virginia road into Rainelle, I see a weathered sign

proclaiming ‘Welcome to Rainelle, A Town Built to Carry On.’ At the base of the Sewell

Mountains sits the quaint lumber town, Rainelle, which differs greatly from my home in

suburban North Carolina. As if in slow motion, our car crawls along flood-damaged roads.

Streets are littered with debris, people’s belongings, drenched items out of place, on the sides of

the street. Couches, clothing, books, toys, appliances, pictures— wet, muddy and now trash—

waiting for removal by the National Guard. Lives were lost, a town is under water. It is June

2016, and ten inches of rain have fallen in twelve hours, resulting in one of the deadliest floods

in West Virginia’s history. I am here to help the citizens of Rainelle ‘carry on.’

Passing the library and Methodist Church, I imagine the damage inside. Twenty-four

hours ago, I left home with my Wake Forest United Methodist Church Mission Team. Our

destination was Oak Hill, West Virginia, where we would do home repairs. Everything changed

when our counselors decided we were instead needed for flood relief in Rainelle. This trip

exemplified the meaning of sacrifice and helped me realize I should take nothing for granted.

We pass homes and businesses, each with orange spray-painted symbols across the

windows, notifying the National Guard if the home has been searched, and if so, how many

people and animals were removed. The car stops. I am overcome with concern. How would I

react to people who lost everything? Could I be a comfort in their time of need?
 The air smelled of mold, dirt, standing water, and body odor, the stench festered in the

heat and humidity, my stomach turned. I sensed devastation in the air like a huge storm cloud

covering the area. It was heartbreaking watching the people of Rainelle carry their lives out of

their homes one item at a time.

Throughout the week I had the privilege of working with numerous flood victims. Each

had a different perspective on the tragedy, but most had an optimistic outlook. They showed

bravery and courageousness in the midst of tragedy. While I helped a woman remove things from

her home, I saw a distinct watermark on the kitchen wall. The mark was knee high, a reminder of

rushing flood waters. I think about the water rising, destroying “things” in her life, but the water

receded, and it is time to ‘carry on.’ She told us her story. Her son helped her escape as flood

waters rushed inside her home. He risked his life to save hers. She sobbed, but expressed

gratitude for our team and her chance to begin again.

This experience changed me. I watched the people of Rainelle find something positive in

every situation they faced. I thought about simple situations in my life where I let negativity take

over, and was reminded to focus on blessings and give thanks in good and bad times. I promised

myself to remember the lessons I learned this week. I was called to continue giving, to flood

others with love and support, to help others float when they face muddy waters. I learned when

the water rises, I should not focus on myself, but on others. As the water in Rainelle receded and

left water marks inside homes, it also left its mark on me. It revealed the person I strive to be,

one who helps others smile through struggles and shares love and positivity. I came home a

different person, one who rose above the flood waters; changed by a little rain, mud, and

flooding. I am truly thankful for the people who lived in ‘A Town Built To Carry On’ for

teaching me to be ‘A Person Built To Carry On.’