We're back in our home, but there's still tons of work to be done.
Those are glorious words NumberSix. And, more profound than you might imagine.
As a Southerner (transplant) my family has been through several hurricanes. And, as much as I hate to admit it. There is a sense (in the South) that the populous in other parts of the country don't understand just how devastating hurricanes (even small ones) can be and are. There are many parts of the country that think that way too, not in a malicious way, but more of a colloquial sense. But, we all must remember that parts of our country have been suffering wild fires, tornadoes, drought, and over the years, earthquakes, and floods as well. I can't imagine what it would be like if my neighborhood was consumed by fire and knowing that there was nothing I could have done to stop it. I do know however; what it is like to shelter in fear as tornadoes tracked all around us and a large portion of Tuscaloosa was scrubbed from the planet... as we prayed we wouldn't be next.
We as Americans should always remember that each of these catastrophes are just that catastrophes. Regionalism described by the type of disaster that occurs in particular part of the country should be irrelevant to us as Americans... And, we must remember that we grow stronger and closer when we help each other through those times.
Let us keep those about to endure Hurricane Isaac in our thoughts and prayers. And, do all we can to help them out in the coming days and, remember those in the mountains of Colorado and the North West that have lost their homes to fire-storms, and the farmers across the heart-land that have lost their crops to drought as well...
I don't mean to be maudlin... but, the last few years have been rough on We The People, and we will grow stronger by doing what we can, when we can.
The day after Hurricane Katrina made landfall seven years ago, I was working as the Manager of the Big Kmart in Cullman, Al. The topic of the day was of course the storm. We opened as usual and the first two "customers" through door were an elderly couple fleeing Katrina. They had run out of gas, and money, and didn't know the fate of their daughter who had remained behind. The area they had lived in had only one way in or out and that way in was an old bridge. They had run out of gas on I-65 and had walked from there to the only thing that was familiar to them our Kmart. They had walked more than 5 miles... in the dark and rain.
We had one of those lunch kitchens in our store, so we made a grocery run and made them a huge breakfast. We all emptied our wallets and bought them a cell phone, and several hours of minutes for the phone. It was imperative to help out anyway we could. They had nothing. We gave them clothes, filled their tank, got in contact with the local disaster relief there in Cullman and as the customers began to file in, they opened their wallets and their hearts and did all they could to help... One of our customers set them up in an apartment rent free until they were ready to return home... One other thing that the locals did to help out... The couple's car was in pretty rough shape. One of the local mechanic shops heard about their plight... They went and retrieved the car, gave it a good once over, not only did a basic service to the car but, put new tires on it, tuned it up, and put new brakes on it as well... They were in Cullman for more than a month before they could return home. They never did find their daughter. The random acts of kindness were amazing to behold... It's like the whole town had adopted them. And, not because they had been dropped on their door step and they had been saddled with them... No... because they wanted to help in anyway they could.
NumberSix, We are all very happy to hear that you have kept your family together, and are on the road back. And, we all sincerely hope that you suffer no more setbacks, only progress toward a better future for you and your family. Thank you for sharing that with us.
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