Category: Life

I had been on the phone with the military’s new insurance company a good chunk of the morning trying to figure out why they still seemed to think I had another primary insurance when we had filled out the form saying I didn’t and turned it in on base over a month ago.  I was frustrated and irritated with people in general after being bounced from department to department with no resolution to my problem other than those requiring ME to resubmit the same form.

A little while later I took a break from work and checked Facebook quickly.  That’s when I saw the posts.  Each a different variation of “Prayers for OK.”  No specifics were mentioned, but to see that many I knew something horrible had happened.  So I Googled “breaking news Oklahoma” and saw the images that prompted these Facebook messages.  Luckily I don’t have any close personal friends or family in the area hit by the tornado, but my heart ached all the same.  Those scenes playing out on every website I found resonated with me because they reminded me of a similar situation just 5 years ago when a tornado skirted my friends home, but demolished several around it.

Her teenage daughter was home alone when the twister hit and somehow knew to go to the innermost room for shelter despite living in an area not prone to such dangers.  The experience caused her nightmares and anxiety afterwards.  And rightly so.  I recall seeing a 2×6 from their neighbor’s rafters lodged into the interior wall of their family room when I came to help them pack up to move out for the repairs.

I have many memories of that event, like my friend’s frantic call to me as she rushed home that night once she heard the storm had hit and her daughter had been home.  I remember watching her neighbors shift through the debris pile that used to be their home just hoping to find a few photos to keep.  I can still see the path the twister took through the neighborhood, obliterating some addresses and completely skipping others clearly in my mind.  I recall marveling at the force and power the funnel had as I saw cars left inside buildings.  But what I remember most about the entire event is the generosity of the people.

Some volunteered to help my friend pack up and move out of her home like I did.  Friends watched pets who couldn’t stay in the hotels with displaced families.  Others opened their own home for victims to have a place to stay when the hotels became full.   Complete strangers patrolled the neighborhood handing out food and water for victims and volunteers.  Everywhere you looked everyone was doing something to help.  It was amazing to see not only their small community, but the surrounding region well up with such a vast support network.  Miraculously no one was killed that time, even with a middle school and hospital directly in the storm’s path.

Now the damaged buildings have been repaired.  Those destroyed homes have been rebuilt.  The earth’s scars have been covered by new growth.  And those affected have learned what is truly important and just how strong they really are.

All of these thoughts flashed through my mind as I saw the news footage yesterday and suddenly I just couldn’t bring myself to complain about my menial issues.  I realized I am blessed in so many ways that I often don’t even realize it.  I often try to remind myself to look at the big picture in those moments of frustration.  Just this weekend I printed and framed a quote for my bathroom that says “Someone else is happy with less than what you have.”  I am sure that many of those survivors fall into that category right now, including this woman who was happy enough to have survived, but elated to then find her dog alive in the rubble as she recounted her experience. I hope the lyrics of Craig Morgan’s “This Ain’t Nothin” become these victim’s anthem as they recover and eventually rebuild their presently shattered lives.

I hope each of you will take stock of your blessings today and make a conscious effort to remember that even when the storm hits there are those worse off than you, who are picking up the pieces and carrying on regardless.  I call that blessed strength, because only a power higher than yourself can give you the strength to carry on when the facts say you should just give up.  I wish you all such a blessing and especially those affected by this horrible loss.

Today was a very busy day for me.  Not only did I have a BIG morning event that required an early on-site time, but I had a late afternoon event that had BIG meaning.  Luckily I still had enough time to squeeze in lunch with my hubby at one of our favorite little Mexican restaurants.

As we sat chatting over our food a disheveled man walked in and started talking to a waitress about some metal platters he wanted to sell.  I tried not to give the situation too much attention because I didn’t want to make it awkward, but from where we sat not far away I could tell these platters were nothing special.

Despite his loud voice and social awkwardness the waitress was patient and polite with the man as he showed her each platter and described it.  She told him she would go get the owner because that he would have to decide if the restaurant would buy something.  By this time he had the entire restaurant’s attention.

A moment later a clean cut Hispanic man came to speak with this solicitor, and he too calmly listened to the lengthy description of each platter.  Once the man was done with his pitch, the owner explained that they had certain regulations about what kinds of food serving materials they could use, but rather than buy a platter he would offer the man a meal.  The man agreed and was seated at the booth next to us, where he was quickly served a plate of hot food.

When he was done eating he loudly addressed the bar tender nearby about how he remembered coming here with his wife years ago when the restaurant was nothing more than a wood box with a lady in it selling tacos.  Then he wandered out.

It was humbling and heart warming to see a business man treat someone who he knew would likely never contribute a dime to his bottom line with such respect and kindness.  I was so touched I almost offered to pay for the man’s meal, but after watching that interaction I knew the owner would likely turn down my offer with the same sensitivity.

When we left the owner was back in the kitchen overseeing his staff so I asked our waitress to pass on our appreciation of how he had handled the situation, making it a positive experience for all around rather than approaching it in a way that could have gone 180* from what it was.

Needless to say the next time I need to choose a place to eat in that neighborhood I’ll choose that business because it’s more than great food and atmosphere at a great price.  It’s about supporting a local business who does more than employ people and pay taxes.

Situations like these remind me why I’m a hopeless romantic when it comes to humanity.  I BELIEVE there is still good out there and that it appears in little moments like this.  I can only pray that I will have the grace to act in a similar manner whenever presented the opportunity.

After my long day I came home and checked email and Facebook.  Chatted with friends and got caught up on what they are doing.  I ended up watching a funny video link a family member shared, which lead me to others because the artist featured was so talented that I wanted to learn more about her.  At that point YouTube suggested the video below.  I believe that God made the electrical connection that placed that suggestion on my screen, because this clip reiterated the hope that had been kindled during my lunch date.  These young friends are an amazing duo both musically and personally.  And their talent was bestowed to let them share the beauty of their souls with others!  I hope it moves you as much as it did me.