A friend of mine shared how the number 8 represents ‘new beginnings’. I recall with excitement looking forward to what lay ahead for us in the Year 2008. I was not expecting the summer we had; none-the-less it was the one we were given.

The rain began innocently on the evening of June 7th. Before retiring for bed we checked the river height one last time. It was after midnight. With over 6 feet to go we felt confident in our decision to wait until morning, re-evaluate the condition, and then notify our seasonal campers that sometime that day we would probably have to move the campers to higher ground.

We awoke Sunday morning at 6 a.m. to find the river bank full. The river was rising at an alarming rate of two feet every 45 minutes. When it was all said and done we had eight feet of water flowing through the center of our campground. What a sickening feeling. Ten years of memories buried under water.
 

Monday morning was a beautiful sunny day. As I stepped outside I caught site of a deep, purple iris in full bloom. For five years these flowers grew, yet never bloomed. Why on this day did it choose to bring forth its color into my world? I called it my “resurrection iris” and with it came the assurance that all would be well. The clean-up began as soon as the water started to recede. At one time Bob said, “I think I liked it better when it was all under water!” The flood waters affected our roads, septic system, swimming pool, office, campsites, playground equipment and anything left in its path.