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Who Says it Doesn't Rain in Southern California?
Crazy, hurricane-force winds and torrential rainstorms don't usually happen here. We haven't even had much rain for many years (we've been in a Stage 2 or 3 drought for a long time now). That all changed when my little street became a raging river in short order this afternoon, and you should have seen all the trash and recycling cans (trash day) floating down the street! I was watching the action out front when I heard the commotion out back.....
About 3 minutes after the tree fell, it cleared:
The silver lining is that my water bill will significantly drop over the next month or two! And the view from the 2nd floor has improved. :-)
Just another day in paradise.
Mine are very small potatoes and will be handled quite easily, I'm sure. But 10 miles from here, there were cars parked on the street almost completely submerged under water, and a 100 year old tree fell on a house just up Coast Hwy. Fortunately, no one was hurt. But what if those who lost their cars can't afford to buy another -- even with insurance? What if that man's house can't be repaired because he lost his job? -- or is living on social security and has lost his investments?
Tonight, I pray we receive the rain we need, but not the headaches we don't. I especially pray for those in the burn areas who stand to lose the most..including homes and livestock (alot of horses here)....and may have no way to rebuild due to the economy. Many people were forced to evacuate those areas ahead of the storm --- nerve wracking, to say the least. Yes, the situation in Haiti is awful, but let's remember those in our own country who desperately need help and who still go without. You may be one of them, or know someone who has lost so much. They may even go hungry, but wouldn't ever tell you because the embarrassment is worse to them than the pain that won't allow them restful sleep.
So, why is so easy for us to open our checkbooks for those in a foreign country whom we don't know, but let those here in this country so without? Do we have higher expectations for our own? Or is it the "it could happen to me" fear factor that keeps us from extending a helping hand to our next door neighbor or the single mom two doors down the street? Even if we don't see it, hear it, feel it --- the "it" still happens..."it's" all around you. Does it have to take a natural disaster to open our hearts?
What do you suppose would happen if you helped someone in need? If it were you, you know you'd appreciate the help. Give a hand up.....that's the spirit rebuilt NYC after 9/11...strangers helping strangers. We're all strangers to each other until we have something to share with one another.
Collective humanitarianism is a beautiful thing.
About 3 minutes after the tree fell, it cleared:
The silver lining is that my water bill will significantly drop over the next month or two! And the view from the 2nd floor has improved. :-)
Just another day in paradise.
Mine are very small potatoes and will be handled quite easily, I'm sure. But 10 miles from here, there were cars parked on the street almost completely submerged under water, and a 100 year old tree fell on a house just up Coast Hwy. Fortunately, no one was hurt. But what if those who lost their cars can't afford to buy another -- even with insurance? What if that man's house can't be repaired because he lost his job? -- or is living on social security and has lost his investments?
Tonight, I pray we receive the rain we need, but not the headaches we don't. I especially pray for those in the burn areas who stand to lose the most..including homes and livestock (alot of horses here)....and may have no way to rebuild due to the economy. Many people were forced to evacuate those areas ahead of the storm --- nerve wracking, to say the least. Yes, the situation in Haiti is awful, but let's remember those in our own country who desperately need help and who still go without. You may be one of them, or know someone who has lost so much. They may even go hungry, but wouldn't ever tell you because the embarrassment is worse to them than the pain that won't allow them restful sleep.
So, why is so easy for us to open our checkbooks for those in a foreign country whom we don't know, but let those here in this country so without? Do we have higher expectations for our own? Or is it the "it could happen to me" fear factor that keeps us from extending a helping hand to our next door neighbor or the single mom two doors down the street? Even if we don't see it, hear it, feel it --- the "it" still happens..."it's" all around you. Does it have to take a natural disaster to open our hearts?
What do you suppose would happen if you helped someone in need? If it were you, you know you'd appreciate the help. Give a hand up.....that's the spirit rebuilt NYC after 9/11...strangers helping strangers. We're all strangers to each other until we have something to share with one another.
Collective humanitarianism is a beautiful thing.
Comment
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Comment by Michael Alan on January 19, 2010 at 11:45am
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I messed up the first photo link
Good thing I operate fire engines better than computers.
Anyway, I agree that we should support those in need in our area and our country when ever possible.
It is great if we have a little to contribute for international disaster relief efforts also because it helps us
feel less helpless when we see the devastation other people are experiencing.
Your message is important and appreciated because it reminds us that there are people around that need help on a continuing basis and not just after a disaster.
We all know that we would like someone to help us if we were in a similar situation.
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Wow, impressive pics!
That must have been really startling when the awning blew off.
Where I work at the northwest end of the Station Fire burn area there was mudslides, flooding, and
evacuations.
A Battalion Chief suburban was caught in one of the flash floods as he investigated the damage.
We hate when that happens!
I am glad I wasn't driving that rig.
We are ready for the coming storms, Swift Water Rescue Teams and all.
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