Echo – Xiong Haixia - #0505020224

Last year a storm lashed most southern areas of China when Spring Festival was approaching. It was the worst storm that I had experienced in my lifetime, and I would never forget it.

By day it rained steadily as the rising wind, and by night it snowed constantly. Thus everything was covered with heavy snow. The snow was about six inches thick, as a result, many trees were snapped and roads were blocked. My father, a driver, didn’t work for a few days since no delivers wanted to risk their neck under those conditions. What’s worse, power failed and water was unavailable because of the damaged electric wires. We could not make meals, nor watch television, nor even wash clothes. Therefore, my family did nothing but stay at home. In addition, my face, ears and hands were badly frozen, and so were my families’.

Bad news came during that tough time. Some workers fell to their death when they climbed the mountains to repair the cables. Many passengers were trapped on the icy roads for several days starving to death. Some precious animals and plants died form the cold. However, things were not always terrible. In fact, organizations within the area and the entire population of China had come to the aid of the disaster areas. Police were moving in to handle traffic, sending food and bedding to the stuck passengers, and helping to clear the snow on the road. The Chinese government leaders, including premier Wen, came to the seriously devastated areas to encourage people to fight against the storm. Besides, people from every part of China voluntarily donated to those in distress, helping them to get rid of their pain and quickly rebuilding their homes.

I was speechless after I heard that. For me, I didn’t get hurt during the storm, while some people were dead, or badly injured; left with grief and sadness for their loved family members who must have been helpless and desperate. What we did was to try our best to help them.

After the storm was over, families could get together to spend spring festival happily. When enjoying myself with my family, I found out the fact that nothing was more important than life and family in the world. We should learn how to treasure our lives and cherish our family.