"In the midst of stupidity and tragedy, I want to write about something awesome. "
I guess yesterday's post about severe weather turned out to be pretty prophetic for Oklahoma City. We got pounded last night. Fortunately all of the really bad stuff stayed a few miles north and west of us. But, like Joplin, there were not just houses, but entire neighborhoods that were flattened by tornadoes. Families lost everything. Lives were lost too, which hardly ever happens here anymore. We know what these things can do, and everyone stays weather aware when conditions are like they were yesterday.
But the tornadoes were too big. Even following the rules didn't help. The kind of tornadoes we had yesterday were not the kind you can hide from in an interior closet or bathroom. They were the kind of tornadoes that you have to run from. Those that couldn't or didn't were vulnerable to the tragic results.
The tragic events in Oklahoma yesterday and Joplin a few days ago somehow don't mix well with the stupidity of last weekend and the supposed end of the world. The mix between real life calamity and some kooky preacher saying the end of days is here is somewhat distasteful today. Like mustard and ice cream, each is tolerable on its own, but the two together is not a good combination.
In the midst of all of this, I want to find something awesome and terrific to write (and think) about for a while. And in the best of what Oklahoma has to offer, that opportunity has presented itself this morning.
The awesome thing about people in general and Oklahomans specifically is the way everyone comes together after a tragedy. It's amazing and impressive how differences melt away when there is a common enemy or problem. There are so many people out helping others this morning instead of working or going about their normal day that one cannot help but be impressed.
My brother, his family and our entire staff (excepting yours truly) are out doing what they can for families that have lost their houses. We loaded up a bunch of bottled water, sandwich stuff and our whole inventory of boxes to distribute as needed in these places where people are picking through sticks that used to be houses and finding some remnants of family mementos and pictures. The biggest problem is finding people who need this stuff that don't already have fifty other people offering to help.
There's plenty of work for everyone, and if anything it seems like the media is under reporting the extent of the damage. How do you show the devastation of family after family who has lost every single thing they own?
But the response from people everywhere has been terrific - just like it always is here. It's truly an amazing thing, worthy of the highest recognition and praise. Nobody is sitting around waiting on the government to do something, or complaining that FEMA isn't doing enough. Everyone is pitching in, offering what they can and helping each other.
It's just too bad that it takes a tragedy to make this happen. How awesome would it be if people behaved this way all the time?