Reflections From The Sampson Flat Bushfires of S.A.

I spotted this sign on Monday 5 January 2015 well behind police roadblocks in the area fire fighters refer to as ‘the scar’ – the blackened land left by an active fire. It has appeared in many media outlets over the last few days and is only one of dozens of similar handmade signs at the end of driveways, prominently placed at intersections and out the front of staging areas where the emergency response crews gather. It was only when I drove past it for the second time the following day that the sign behind it caught my attention: ‘Crash Markers’.

I was struck by the symbolism and the contrast. One very formal, stilted and focussed on the past. The other – personal, emotional, “real” with a sense of optimism. 

It made me think about the people who painted this sign It appears at the end of a driveway that leads to a home that was saved in the bushfires so one might think they have a lot to be grateful for. I didn’t meet these people but we know they’ve had a tough few days. They certainly lost outlying buildings and fences – quite probably loss of stock and/or impact on their farming activities. My guess is they stayed to defend which means that for the past day or two they have certainly been without power and most likely without water also. Yet as they reflected on this situation, one of the first things they did was dug out some black paint and found a piece of fibreboard to express their thanks. I met an elderly couple at the community centre in One Tree Hill who had lived in the area for 40 years. Their house too was saved but their thoughts and focus was on the insured vehicle they had lost and the inconvenience to their lives.

Again I was struck by the contrast.

As I think of the photo of the signs I love the fact that the sign of thanks sits in front of the Crash Markers but does not cover it up! This seems to be such a healthy perspective to take when it comes to difficult times of the past.  “Covering them up” often only delays and deepens the impacts – how wonderful to take (make?) a new perspective and place it in big bold print in front of the crash markers of our life – in the aifc course we call this living with “an attitude of gratitude”.

Some people reflect on the past and others dwell.  The literal meanings of these words betray, which is the healthy approach. When we “reflect” in the mirror of our past what we actually see around us is our future. Learning from the joys and traumas of the past to shape a better future – super healthy.  When we “dwell” on the past we chose to live there – we make it our home (our dwelling) – certainly not so healthy.

As the fire-affected people of the Adelaide Hills rebuild their lives I pray they are able to do so with healthy refection.  And as we all enter each day I pray we are able to do the same. Shannon Hood has been part of the South Australian Fire and Emergency Commission (SAFECOM) Stress Prevention and Management (SPAM) Team for 9 years.  Orginally published on the 19 January 2015 at the time when Shannon Hood was aifc’s Academic Manager.