Welcome to my weekly Sparks of Joy. This week’s Sparks of Joy #24 post is about finding joy despite Cyclone Alfred!
This week’s Sparks of Joy #24
Over the last week, Queensland and in particular S.E. Queensland and Northern NSW was on high alert for Cyclone Alfred. It was to be a one in fifty-year event with the last cyclone occurring in Brisbane during 1974. Cyclone Wanda at that time occurred over the Australia Day weekend and the Brisbane River broke its banks and inundated the city, killing 14 people and flooding almost 6,000 homes. Many still talk about ‘the 1974 floods’ in Brisbane.
I’ve never experienced any natural disasters in my life which I am very grateful for. Fortunately, Mike has experience and the media coverage was excellent. Regular updates from the Premier of Queensland, the SES and Bureau of Meterology ensured we all knew what to expect and what to do to prepare.
We taped up the windows, brought our plants, tables and chairs in from outside and secured our garden shed (Mike was concerned it might blow away). I did a final shop so we had plenty to eat even if the power did go out.
We were all ready for Cyclone Alfred! Alfred had other ideas and decided to ‘toy’ with us. Coming close to the mainland, then turning back on himself. The NSW premier suggested:
Cyclone Alfred is like the guest who is late to the party and then refuses to leave.
Despite being prepared, as the time drew closer, I was surprisingly anxious. Thursday night came and went and then it was predicted to hit on Friday night early Saturday. By the time Alfred had crossed the Moreton Bay Islands he had been downgraded to a Tropical Cyclone 1 and the wind gusts and rain weren’t too bad. Some people were saying it was a ‘fizzer’ and what was all the fuss about. They soon changed their minds…….
Then came Saturday night – howling winds and heavy rain resulting in flooding in many areas, loss of power, internet, cars and homes. The heavy rain continued into Sunday and then eased back on Monday but the flooding continues.
We were very, very lucky but my heart goes out to those who have been severely affected and have lost their homes.
Finding sparks of joy during Cyclone Alfred might seem challenging, but even in the storm, there are moments of light. Here are a few ways I looked for joy amid the chaos:
1. Cozy Comforts
Being indoors was a chance to slow down. I curled up with a good book, spent time in the kitchen baking Banana & Walnut Bread as well as some No Bake Chocolate Energy Balls. We had enough supplies, a dry home and were prepared. It was then a waiting game.
2. Connection & Community
A storm brings people together. Checking in on neighbors, sharing supplies, or simply having heartfelt conversations with family can be a reminder of kindness and resilience. Sunday morning, saw us helping our neighbour in pouring rain dig a ditch as the pool in our complex was overflowing into his yard. There have been so many uplifting stories of people offering others help, checking on each other. Not the most flattering fashion but it kept us relatively dry as we helped our neighbour.
We were fortunate to be able to stay connected with my family and knowing that despite some short term inconvenience with loss of power, everyone is safe and no major damage has been done. I would text our children each morning to check-in with them.
Families rediscovered board games, having conversations with each other instead of texting and getting back to basics because in many cases power, internet and mobile phone coverage was affected. It would be wonderful if this trend continued.
Community groups on Social Media saw everyone helping each other and there were even some times when a joke was appreciated. Many offers of help to strangers on my local Facebook Community page was so heart warming.
3. A Chance to Reset
A forced break from daily routines can be an opportunity to reflect, reset, and appreciate life’s simple pleasures. Whether it’s journaling, meditating, or just taking a deep breath, these moments can be grounding. For me, I did some more travel planning for our trip to the UK later in the year. Doing this made me feel excited and something to look forward to.
I also ensured I did some daily workouts to help my mental stress. Choosing to stay home is one thing. Being forced to stay home is another and with the force of winds and rain my stress levels were high. I needed to work off the stress and also move my body.
4. Feeling Grateful (and a little guilty)
Whilst I am so very grateful that our family were all safe during this weather event and only experienced minor inconveniences, I am also mindful that others are doing it very tough at the moment. This brings a sense of guilt – I am fine, but they are not. It is quite natural to feel this way so I accept that and count my blessings.
5. Appreciation
As life gets back to normal food shortages, power cuts, mobile phone networks and internet affected makes one appreciate what we have in life and what we have come to depend upon.
Yesterday we went to the supermarket and many shelves were bare.
What has brought you Joy this week and made your smile?
With love
I’m linking up to #WednesdayWords&Whimsy hosted by Min from Write of the Middle. Pop over and visit Min and say hello.
21 Comments
I couldn’t help but think of you as Alfred inched slowly closer Sue. The slowness of it arriving must have been very stressful. I’m pleased that you came through unscathed, but it makes me sad to see the TV coverage of houses that have crashed down or been flooded. It’s heartbreaking.
Hi Jen, it was pretty scary and although it was downgraded the beaches have been eroded and many have had flooding and other damage. We were very fortunate. x
Hi Sue, we have similar posts this week – reflecting on Alfred and his antics. Glad I’m not the only one who was feeling rather anxious! It was a huge job preparing for Alfred but we were lucky we had plenty of time. I never did use any candles or drink my bottled water etc but I’m glad we were prepared for the worse. I loved the meme’s! They really helped distract me and make me laugh. Glad we’re all safe and Alfred has moved on! Thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy – hopefully a less dramatic week ahead! xo
It was an anxious time waiting for Alfred, wasn’t it, Min? That was the worst part for me as we were fortunate to come though unscathed. I feel for those who were hit hard with the flooding in particular and now have to face the clean up. The Memes helped and I did like the Mr Squiggle one you shared in your post. x
In typical Sue fashion, you’ve found the sparks of joy in a very trying situation. A big ✔️to all the ways you kept yourself busy and coping.
Thanks, Bernie. I was quite anxious but we did all we could to prepare. I found that while we were waiting I had to stay busy and we were so very lucky compared to those who have lost homes in the flooding that followed. x
So glad you and yours are safe and dry and made the most of a scary time.
Thanks, Barbara. x
It was such a worrying time for you all up there Sue, and I’m glad you and your family were OK. You’ve mentioned some great positives from this time of anxiety. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us all and mentioning all the good things too! #teamwwwhimsy
I’m sure you were worried about Eliza, Deb. It was a scary time that’s for sure. x
You did very well, Sue – I’m so glad it’s all over and your and our families are safe xxx
Thanks, Toni. I hope Henry and his family are okay. x
So glad your and your family managed to stay safe. It was my first cyclone and I was feeling really anxious about it. Very grateful to have got out the other side now.
It would have been scary for you Janine and hope you didn’t sustain any damage. x
Hi, Sue – I greatly appreciate how you find the silver linings even in the most challenging situations. Your reflections on Cyclone Alfred beautifully highlight the power of resilience, community, and gratitude. It’s inspiring to see how you turned an anxious time into an opportunity for connection, comfort, and even a bit of joy. I especially love how simple things—like baking, helping a neighbor, and planning future travels—became sources of light in the storm. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Wishing you and everyone affected continued strength and recovery.
Good luck on your interview today. You will be awesome!
Hi Donna, it was quite scary as I’ve never experienced a cyclone before. The last one in our area was 50 years ago! We came through it all and I’m so grateful we did. Others have so much cleaning up to do after the flooding, it is heart breaking to see. x
So glad you and your family were safe through the storm. I do find the community banning together to be very encouraging too. I can’t believe this is the first natural disaster you’ve ever encountered! I remember the first *big* hurricane/cyclone to hit our area in the mid 1980’s so I would have been 8 or so– while quite scary I was a bit young to really get how dangerous it could be. We’ve since had a few more as well as lots of blizzards too… even a tornado once or twice. Each time the waiting is so nerve wracking because there really is only so much we can do to prepare.
Don’t feel guilty, you were just very lucky. It was good that the wind’s power died down before land. I think it’s natural to be stressed as we’ve never really seen up close the full power of a 2-5 cyclone. So under-estimating it, and worrying what it actually might be like is natural. Glad you were all good in the end, and even got to help others. Hopefully it’s sooner rather than later the shelves full up and life resumes. #WWWhimsy
I’m happy to hear that you survived Albert with no major damage. My heart goes out to those who didn’t fare as well. Your plan of action sounds spot on, and the baked good look delicious. Here’s to sparks of joy even in the midst of fear and confusion!
That quote about Cyclone Alfred being late to the party is rather funny but I’m sure it’s ebbing and flowing had you all on edge! I’m grateful to read that you fared well but it’s always so overwhelming to see the destruction these natural events can bring. I love the way you focused on the joy you found throughout it all, Sue! That brought a smile to my face – community, caring and connection!
I’m writing this as thunderstorms rumble outside. Parts of the country have been pummeled by bad storms and rain. I’m so glad you were able to escape the worst of the cyclone. We usually prepare like that for winter storms. Summer storms seem to just pop up where I am. I really did chuckle at the quote about if the cyclone had been a woman’s name! It’s so true, right? Have a wonderful weekend, Sue!
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