Hurricane Harvey bore down on the Gulf Region. The city of Houston and surrounding areas received over 50 inches of rainfall and the slow moving storm continued for days, slamming Louisiana and other costal areas.
It has been twelve years since Hurricane Katrina took 1800 lives and sent shock waves through the nation as we witnessed a government unable to cope or care for its people. Ironically, it was the city of Houston that opened its doors to evacuees of New Orleans and now is bearing the brunt of an even more severe and deadly storm.
So what have we learned? There is an acknowledgement that the city planners ignored nature and developed over wetlands. This is proving to be a critical error as the floodwaters rise. Then of course there is the elephant in the room as we talk about Harvey as a 500-year flood. And here in the Driftless we know about 100 and 500 -year floods and how frequently they now occur.
But what are we really learning? As I follow social media, I am touched by groups of volunteers from cities near-by the affected areas and states far away, coming with boats, supplies and hearts determined to help their fellow human beings. They understand the importance of sharing, helping and community. People are opening their homes for those who will be left homeless. Many took high risks to save another.
What we are learning, if we have the eyes to see, is priceless. We are learning the power of the human spirit. There is a game afoot and it is called kindness. And through the death and destruction of this horrific storm we are being given a chance to hold onto that, which is truly dear: We can love and help one another.
No, it will not bring back the dead, nor will it erase the hardships that many will face. But our actions and our caring will strengthen our love of life and our dignity, and that, my friends, is worth it.
Fast forward to present and Austin to Houston – Harvey Relief efforts are still going strong. Help when ever you can however you can. Gain strength from the conviction and love of these people.
This aired on “Consider This” in the midst of Harvey’s hit. One way we can help is to spread the good news on what we can all do to make this world a better place…thanks for reading and sharing.
let kindness win 