1 November 2012
On Monday afternoon we were filling the car before the real weather hit. There we met men in several trucks from Alabama, employees of the Burford Tree Company [I hope I have that right!]. Alabama is a long, long way from here. We thanked them for coming to help–Americans are so capable in a crisis. Gratitude and good manners always bring their own rewards.
Monday night saw us holed up in a local hotel which had also lost electricity and internet, but where the management and staff tried to make us all comfortable. Some of the other guests were thoroughly enjoyable–they were a large group of young and very handsome gay men singing show tunes while waiting an hour or more to be seated for dinner. After everyone was finished with dinner this group started up a poker game in the dining room and roamed the lobby inviting guests to join them for cards and drinks. The party atmosphere they created felt like New Year’s Eve and made the howling storm outside seem less crushing and threatening.
Early Tuesday we returned home to find all was well, if a bit quiet and disconnected from the outside world. But now we’re lit, loaded, and connected once again. There are nearly 1,000 emails to read and news to catch up on.
There’s a lot of destruction and devastation out there. So many people have lost everything. They feel a lot of pain, fear, and suffering.
Let’s roll up our sleeves. Help where you can. It’s what Americans do best.
