The above image is of a person standing on a rocky shore at sunrise or possibly sunset, with his arms uplifted in supplication as if embracing the brilliant ball of sunlight. The image of a flower has been superimposed over the first image, with the petals being a rainbow of pastel colors from yellow to lavender to mint green to light rose, and the sun forming a bright yellow center. The text printed in two rows of dark brown lettering across the sun says "I am Grateful"... and indeed I am!*
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I had expected to begin my TToT post for this week with the exciting news that my son-in-law has given my husband and I a four-day stay on Galveston Island for our upcoming 9th Anniversary in September. We try each year to celebrate our anniversary by making fun memories rather than buying gifts for each other, and my son-in-law knows that our funds are tight this year. He also knows that Galveston is my favorite place to go in Texas. I am truly thankful for his kindness and unexpected generosity.
And yet Hurricane Harvey's arrival in the Gulf Coast has certainly and very quickly put things in perspective. Now my focus on Galveston and the surrounding area is the safety of people there, and sadness for the struggles they are enduring and will be experiencing for several days. When you live in that area you realize that tropical storms, high winds, and flooding are to be expected from time to time, but that doesn't make it any easier for families, animals, or business owners, not to mention all the security and rescue people that must risk their lives to help others.
I am thankful that there is evidence of good planning to help alleviate as many problems as possible. I am thankful for cities that provided free bus transportation of evacuees to shelters in other areas, and also permitted them to take pets. I am thankful for the medical and emergency people left behind that must carry on their duties in the face of the storm while worrying about their own families and property. I am thankful for good news coverage that keeps us informed of what is happening and what to expect. I am especially thankful for those who have reached out to help with funds, food, shelter, and other necessities.
Last night I saw a posting on Facebook of a ranch in the area that was offering free emergency boarding for pets and livestock, food included. That's the spirit of love and caring that warms my heart! I am thankful for grocery stores, home improvement stores, hotels, and restaurants that don't price gouge when presented with the opportunity to do so because of high demand for their goods and services.
Texas is a very large state, many people don't realize that. I am thankful for friends who have contacted me to make sure we are ok, and I am grateful, for once, that we live in West Texas and will only experience residual rains from the hurricane. I am also thankful for friends in the hurricane path who have quickly responded to my inquiries to make sure they were safe.
I am also thankful for all the people who have the good sense to evacuate when asked to do so, rather than putting emergency crews at greater risk later when it becomes necessary to rescue them. I am thankful for people who wouldn't even consider leaving their pets behind.
I am thankful this morning that thus far no loss of life has been reported, things that are destroyed by the storm are replaceable, family members are not.
Most important of all, I am thankful for the prayers being offered for all in the path of the storm, and for the sense of community and perseverance that assures all will be put right in due time. Isn't it interesting how all the superficial divisions between people that are so widely publicized these days suddenly fade into the background as people pull together to face bigger issues? Maybe that's the real reason to be thankful in all of this.
And yet Hurricane Harvey's arrival in the Gulf Coast has certainly and very quickly put things in perspective. Now my focus on Galveston and the surrounding area is the safety of people there, and sadness for the struggles they are enduring and will be experiencing for several days. When you live in that area you realize that tropical storms, high winds, and flooding are to be expected from time to time, but that doesn't make it any easier for families, animals, or business owners, not to mention all the security and rescue people that must risk their lives to help others.
I am thankful that there is evidence of good planning to help alleviate as many problems as possible. I am thankful for cities that provided free bus transportation of evacuees to shelters in other areas, and also permitted them to take pets. I am thankful for the medical and emergency people left behind that must carry on their duties in the face of the storm while worrying about their own families and property. I am thankful for good news coverage that keeps us informed of what is happening and what to expect. I am especially thankful for those who have reached out to help with funds, food, shelter, and other necessities.
Last night I saw a posting on Facebook of a ranch in the area that was offering free emergency boarding for pets and livestock, food included. That's the spirit of love and caring that warms my heart! I am thankful for grocery stores, home improvement stores, hotels, and restaurants that don't price gouge when presented with the opportunity to do so because of high demand for their goods and services.
Texas is a very large state, many people don't realize that. I am thankful for friends who have contacted me to make sure we are ok, and I am grateful, for once, that we live in West Texas and will only experience residual rains from the hurricane. I am also thankful for friends in the hurricane path who have quickly responded to my inquiries to make sure they were safe.
I am also thankful for all the people who have the good sense to evacuate when asked to do so, rather than putting emergency crews at greater risk later when it becomes necessary to rescue them. I am thankful for people who wouldn't even consider leaving their pets behind.
I am thankful this morning that thus far no loss of life has been reported, things that are destroyed by the storm are replaceable, family members are not.
Most important of all, I am thankful for the prayers being offered for all in the path of the storm, and for the sense of community and perseverance that assures all will be put right in due time. Isn't it interesting how all the superficial divisions between people that are so widely publicized these days suddenly fade into the background as people pull together to face bigger issues? Maybe that's the real reason to be thankful in all of this.
Blessings to you in the days ahead... Look for reasons to be thankful in your life, and remember to be a blessing to someone else!
* Descriptions of the included photos are being provided for those who may be unable to view the illustrations.
We've been through it, and so we are also praying for safety and a speedy recovery for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI was praying that you would be spared the winds and rain this time around Mimi, I know there was damage in Louisiana too. XOXO
Deletethat's the thing about Texas and hurricanes, compared to New England... it appears that from the shoreline inwards it's pretty flat and level. For us, the hills (not mountains or anything) start pretty close to the shore area and so blunt the force of the winds when we get a hurricane. At least for those of us living inland. (Of course those subject and totally relative terms, we can be on the opposite border of the state (ocean being one edge, CT the other and still only be 20 minutes from the shore). Suspect it's somewhat different in Texas.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're back.
That's true, Clark, there is nothing to break the storms rolling ashore here other than seawalls at some of the communities like Galveston, they learned this the hardest way. Houston's flood planning has not kept pace with city growth, it will take a long time for them to recover.
DeleteWhat a delightful gift your trip will be! And yes, I think as a nation we grieve for folks whose lives have been uprooted by the hurricane. I am always thrilled to hear that folks can take their pets. Pets are family, at least for many of us, and to leave them behind is tragic. I agree that pulling together may be the greatest blessing to come from this tragedy in such divisive times.
ReplyDeleteI am excited about our trip, I love Galveston. I can't even begin to imagine the suffering of families whose lives have been devastated by this hurricane and the aftermath of flooding. I just read that a center is being set up to help reunite pets with owners, what a blessing for all concerned!
DeleteWonderful list of thankfuls. I am glad you are not near the storm. That is sweet that your son is treating you and your hubby to a getaway for your anniversary. XO
ReplyDeleteI was thankful to not be near the storm either, Ellen, although I would live in Galveston if I could, but would be one of the early ones evacuating. Waiting is a dangerous game. It is my son in law who is gifting us the hotel stay, and yes, he is very kind!
DeleteI do hope and pray for the safety of those in the path of the storm. I'm glad you are safe where you are.
ReplyDeleteSometimes being in the middle of dry nowhere has it's blessings, Kristi, the only real threats here are tornadoes and thunderstorms, and they are far less devastating. My heart aches for all those who have suffered displacement and loss from this hurricane. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like. I continue to pray for them.
DeleteHi Josie, glad to hear you're safe. Thinking of all those affected, and how wonderful are those people and organisations which are helping those in need :)
ReplyDeleteJo (blogspot doesn't seem to like my wordpress ID!)
I am thankful to be safe. I am so uplifted to read about all the different groups and individuals who are reaching out to help those whose lives have been torn apart by this storm. It is good to read positive news for a change and I wish we would always focus on that!
DeleteFrom what I just read this afternoon, Galveston is now flooding. I hope you are safe and perhaps postponed your trip a bit.
ReplyDeleteIt has been hard to witness the destruction that is taking place from the winds and the flooding. It would be so terrifying to be in those circumstances.
Feeling grateful for all the wonderful acts of kindness by those helping with the rescues.
Galveston did experience flooding on the West side for a couple days, but nothing of the scope of elsehwere and they are used to dealing with it. They have already cleaned up and are back open to tourist business. So far, the plan is still to head there on 9/16, unless this next hurricane coming our way ends up in the same area, praying that it stays out to sea, there has been so much suffering already. I can't even begin to imagine the mental and emotional toll this storm has taken on everyone involved, not to mention the loss of homes, schools, businesses, cars, pets and even family members.
DeleteOh, so glad you aren't very near such flooding and rain Josie. Utterly terrifying and I can't imagine. I do appreciate how people pull together and the best of us humans comes to light during such tragedies. Nature can be showed with such force that we can't control. It puts life into perspective. Hoping people stay safe.
ReplyDeleteFlooding is such a terrible mess, Kerry, it takes forever to clean up, rebuild and recover as best you can. There will be many uninsured whose lives will never fully recover. Not to mention the emotional cost to everyone. I am saddest for the children and the animals, none of whom fully understand. How scary it would be! I am so thankful for the many, many people that have reached out to help!
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