Sand Bags

Potato Farmers. Hicks. Uneducated. Uncultured. Simple. Traditional. I've heard all of these words used in describing the stereotypical Idahoan... most of them in the past week. And it breaks my heart. The people that are found in South Eastern Idaho are part of a dying race. They are a type of people that the world scoffs at, and yet, they have so much to offer. Let me explain.

The Snake River is flooding. Predictions are that it will be much worse than it was in '97. Blackfoot is one of the areas that is experiencing the most damage. But it's not the city that is experiencing the brunt of the flooding, it's the people that live out in the country who are suffering. Homes are being ruined. Crops are being lost--entire fields are being washed away. I dont know if anyone who is unfamiliar with farming can understand how much money lies in a single field, and how damaging losing an entire crop can be... especially to a small family farm. In times of strife or hardship, I believe that one's true character is made evident. I believe that is true for a community as well.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go fill sand bags. Its a simple task really. You take a bag, fill it with sand, tie it, and then stack it on a pallet. The pallets of sand bags were then distributed to homes around the community that needed it. All in an effort to try and help save their homes from the flooding river. Pretty simple, right? Yes. Not because its easy work, or because it doesn't take skill-- simple only because of the amazing people that live in this community.

I witnessed some of the most selfless love yesterday. There was equipment being used, at the cost of the owners, so that the sand bags could be filled faster and more efficiently. There was food provided for the workers. There were selfless people who donated their time to come and bag sand for people that they might not even know. Why? Because that's how we do things out here in the sticks. The same "simple-minded potato farmers" that are "uncultured and uneducated" are the same people who are willing to give everything they have to help their neighbors. They saw a need, and they found a way to meet it. They're selfless. They know how to work. They aren't afraid to get a little bit dirty. And they love unconditionally.

I'm so proud to say that I'm an Idaho farm girl.