The heartbreak is almost unimaginable, countless memories and mementos have to be tossed aside. The place you call home, your vehicles and years of possessions all must be put to the curb.

That is the situation facing many Lawrence Countians following last week’s heavy rains and flash floods. This is a situation that is far too familiar for many residents and far too painful for others.

Fighting flooding and having your home destroyed is something that is not easily recovered from. It is forever in your thoughts, making you always wary of Mother Nature.

Yet this is something that we — as a community — must come together to overcome.

It is easy to say when you aren’t one of those affected, but most of the loss has been material things. Hopefully aid and assistance will be forthcoming for the families who have been impacted by this terrible tragedy that claimed the life of a Franklin Furnace woman.

My heart goes out to this family that is suffering greatly and, unlike those who lost “things,” their loss will never be replaced.

This round of flooding reminds us how insignificant human beings are in the greater scheme of the world and the universe.

Mother Nature makes no distinctions on age, race or socioeconomic status or any other demographic that we use to label ourselves.

If there is a lesson to be learned it is that we must always be vigilant and prepared for disaster.

We cannot live our lives in fear yet we cannot live our lives oblivious to the dangers that natural disasters and man-made disasters can pose.

It is important that everyone analyzes their homeowner’s policies, their automobile insurance policies and also the infrastructure of their homes to be as prepared as possible before disaster strikes.

Even though the floodwaters have receded, many families are still looking to pick up the pieces.

Each of us can do our part by lending a hand, lending an ear, offering financial assistance, or just being there for someone in their time of need.

This will be a difficult time for many as they look to rebuild their lives and rebuild their homes and start over.

It is important that we all remember that we are one community, one family, living in one society.

Even Mother Nature isn’t powerful enough to change that.

Michael Caldwell is publisher of The Tribune. To reach him, call (740) 532-1445 ext. 24 or by e-mail at mike.caldwell@irontontribune.com.