The flooding in and around Baton Rouge, LA, earlier this month have left so many families without inhabitable homes. The storms have claimed over a dozen lives so far, and even more lives from pets and wildlife.
In times like this, it can be extremely difficult to find a reason to be happy or grateful, or to even find a moment of levity. Imagine losing all of your sentimental belongings along with your clothes, your shelter, and so many of the things you've spent your whole life accumulating, whether they were for necessity or for pleasure.
Mark Chasuk and his family were some of the folks who lost just about everything in the wake of this disaster, including all of their school supplies, right before the beginning of the school year.


This is the view of the family's neighborhood in Baton Rouge. Everyone on the street has had to clear out their home of waterlogged, ruined items.

Just about everything, large and small, has to be put to the curb like trash. Everyone in the family has come together to help clear out their home in the aftermath.

After days of lugging his possessions to the curb Mark Chasuk, took a moment to appreciate that he and his family had come out of this ordeal unharmed.
This piano was under four feet of water, and there is no saving it from the irreparable damage. But, before it gets taken away to the dump, Chasuk sits down in front of it to give it one more go. Playing Albert Pieczonka’s "Tarantella" on the out-of-tune piano brings back lovely memories of less turbulent times for the whole family.

The video, captured by Joh White, took off after he posted it to social media. It's not surprising that a young man's ability to move forward, be hopeful, and remain himself at a time like this has really touched the hearts of the thousands who have liked and shared the post.

The Chasuks are a homeschooling family, and without their school supplies, they will fall behind in their education. White has started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for this family and other families in the same homeschooling network, so that these kids don't miss out on their education on top of everything else.
It really is amazing what hope this one small gesture has brought to the community. It brings a sense of normalcy to the very abnormal and terrifying situation. You can see the full video below.
If you would like to donate to the cause, check out the GoFundMe page, and please SHARE with your family and friends on Facebook!