Still grateful in the midst of the flood and still able to enjoy simple food with my little family

still be grateful even though you can enjoy whatever food you have after the flood

Tonight was a moment I'll never forget. After the floods hit our village a few days ago, our house was still covered in dried mud in various corners. Although I'd managed to clean some of it, there was still much work to be done. Stained walls, slippery floors, and damaged furniture testified to the extent of the flood's impact. But amidst the exhaustion and the still-unrecovered atmosphere at home, one thing kept me going: being with my little family.

Tonight we gathered in the living room, the only part of the house that was a little cleaner. My wife lit the small stove and simply cooked instant noodles for us to share. There were no special side dishes, no fancy dishes like usual, just a warm bowl of noodles to fill our stomachs after a tiring day. But somehow, these simple noodles tasted even more delicious than usual. Perhaps it was because we ate them with grateful hearts, or perhaps it was because being together amidst trials like this made everything feel meaningful.

my little daughter enjoying a simple meal

My little daughter sat beside me with a small smile, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings. Just looking at her face was enough to make my tiredness slowly disappear. Little children never see flaws as the big problems adults face. What matters to her is being with her mom and dad, having a simple dinner, and laughing together without having to worry about the mud sticking out of the corners of the house.

I also learned something from it. Despite the natural disaster, God still gave us much to be grateful for: safety, health, and the opportunity to remain together. Houses can be repaired, furniture can be replaced, mud can be cleaned, but family togetherness is the most precious blessing.

my little princess's cheerful smile

Tonight, I ate while looking around the house. Although it was still a mess, there was a sense of warmth. I realized that calamity isn't just a test, but also a reminder that happiness doesn't always come from material abundance, but from a day of continued gratitude.

With simple instant noodles and my little family by my side, I feel stronger to face tomorrow. The calamity may not be completely over yet, but as long as we're together, I'm confident everything will return to normal, slowly but surely.