I've been quiet for a while. I think we all need to step back and take a breath from time to time. Sometimes we need a little quiet time to balance ourselves with all the craziness going on in the world. The news just keeps blasting the negative and seems to ignore the positive so they can feed the drama and keep it going. After all, it's all about ratings, not about the people and bringing this country together, standing strong, as it should be.
Mother Nature however, did just that. Over the last two weeks she has taken the opportunity to smack us in the face and give us a wake up call as we watched Hurricane's Harvey and Irma rip apart Texas and Florida. Many of us feeling helpless and the need to run and help our fellowman. Many giving no thought to the dangers they were putting themselves in, in order to save the lives of men, women, children and even animals. We have some of the bravest men and women who just jumped in and volunteered to help wherever they were needed. Not because it was their job but because they wanted and needed to.
These volunteers were far from over helping out in Texas after the wake of Hurricane Harvey and the devastation he left behind when Hurricane Irma took her anger out on Florida. Now we stand, as a country united with one goal in mind, bring these two states back to life. Help fix what damage was done and do not stop for a moment or make it a political issue but keep it a human issue.
Like all others in this country we watched as fires raged through Montana and hurricanes hit our shores, praying for all those who were in their path. It never ceases to amazes me how Americans come together in a time of crisis to help those in need. It doesn't matter if it's to donate money, give clothing, food, water, or their time, Americans find a way to help. When it hits our own shores there is even a stronger need to pitch in and make things right again.
The silent majority stands up and ignores all else as they role up their sleeves and do what needs to be done to get the job done. People from all fifty states find a way to contribute in the aid in one way or another and not once do they stop to ask those they are helping what political party they belong to. Why? Because that is not what it is all about. Mother Nature found a way to remind us we are and have been for a long time, way off track. Too many lost in a world of hate and anger they have forgotten what is really important in life, family, friends, and coming together as a nation so we can all succeed and live the American dream.
The United States of America, it's citizens, have allowed the drama kings and queens of this world to get in our way, cause chaos on our land, and pit American's against Americans. We can't allow that because we are and always have been united. True over the years our visions have changed but for the most part, for the better. We still have a long way to go but it's a learning experience because there is no other country in the world quite like the United States of America, so there is no other country in the world for us to learn from. As a matter of fact most look towards us and they either love this country and want to be here or they hate it and want to destroy it. Still we have more advantages here, more freedoms, more chances to improve on our lives, then any other country in the world.
When Harvey hit the shores of Texas reeking havoc as he rolled in and destroyed so many lives we witnessed strangers helping strangers, neighbors helping neighbors, and families struggling to stay together in the mist of Harvey's floods and devastation. From day one there were people in boats out doing search and rescue, pulling people out of their homes and helping them to safety even as the storm continued. Harvey hung over Texas for five days and dropped over 52 inches of rain in some areas, less in others. The longest running hurricane in American history Harvey hung on. Now Texas is still drying out and the people are trying to put their lives back together.
There were sone heart warming stories that came out of the rescues as well as some heartbreaking ones. I cannot begin to express how upset I was at the fact people left their animals tied to trees instead of allowing them to be able to at least find their own way out if they couldn't take them with them. I was amazed as I watched a video of rescuers helping a horse who was terrified of the river like current of water running through the streets. The horse was frozen in place near some trees. When the rescuers got her to safety you can see a tear come out of her eyes. It broke my heart but at the same time I was so happy to see she was safe and being well cared for. I watched as cowboys herded cattle out of the water to safety getting them to higher ground. Everyone pitched in the help with all that needed to be done, no seconds thoughts it just had to be.
To see the people coming off the boats and hear some of their stories as the reporters approached them and asked for information concerning their rescue was both heartbreaking and rewarding. To know they were safe was a relief even though I didn't know them personally. Of course they weren't headed for the best situation because now they had to go to shelters if they didn't have any family members or friends who could take them in. Still the people of Texas, the state government and the federal government did great and are continuing working together to help those who have been displaced by Harvey. Our President has promised we will not turn our backs on them as a nation and we will help them to rebuild. We couldn't and shouldn't expect anything else.
When Hurricane Irma hit Florida people were advised to evacuate. Many did and of course like any other time there were those who chose not to heed the warning. The Florida Keys took the brunt of the storm but that doesn't mean the rest of Florida was spared. Once again homes destroyed, water filled the roads making it impossible to get around but she came in fast and moved a lot quicker than Harvey did. Happily once she hit land around Naples she started to lose her strength as she made her way up Florida and into Georgia. Still she packed a punch as she knocked around Georgia ripping up trees and knocking out power with strong winds and rain. So much devastation in so few hours.
Today I watched some of the images from Key West. The destruction, homes and business lost, so much needs to be done in order to rebuild but again we are Americans and nothing is ever impossible. We never say never and we don't give up and run with our tails between our legs. So many Floridians just wanted to get home and see what was left of their homes and for many there wasn't much. Our prayers go out to them and now the rescue begins and the rebuilding will start as soon as the paperwork gets filled out and the government puts a plan into action both federal and state levels. Florida has a lot of work ahead of them but again, they are not alone for every state that can send people down to help with electric or anything else they are doing just that.
I think one of the stories that broke my heart today more than anything I have seen so far is the story of the nursing home where eight residents died and the others were now being evacuated. What I don't understand is why they weren't evacuated when the Governor kept telling people to evacuate. I honestly was so upset I couldn't listen to the story. I just thought of those people who were living in the nursing home perhaps because they were unable to care for themselves or they had no family to help them. It doesn't matter why they were there all that matters was they were left there under unbelievable conditions when the administration was given more than enough time to remove their patients. I hope they do a full investigation into this and find out how this could have happened and of course who is to blame. Trust me it's not Irma's fault, there is a human or two that didn't do their job.
I also thought it was appalling to see people looting in Florida but very happy to see they were arrested. Way to go to our men and women in blue. I hope the looters get the book thrown at them and are locked up for a long time. I was listening to a news report that said the penalty is doubled because the looting was done during a disaster. I am glad to hear that but in my opinion if you loot anytime you should go away for a long time. People work too hard to build their businesses to just have someone come along and take because they feel as if they deserve it for some inexpiable reason.
So now it's time to not rebuild two states in our Union. To help all we can and to pray all we can for everyone effect by these two storms. It's time to not only put our differences aside but to keep them there. Leave the politics to the politicians and stop being the silent majority, speak up and stand up for this nation, for our beliefs, morals, values, for all American citizens to keep our freedoms and not give in to pressures of the loud mouths. It's the silent majority that does and will get things done the right way, not by hurting, looting, or destroying. Pray for guidance so we can once again be whole and united without having to have a disaster of some sort to bring us together.
Before all else we are American's proud and true. Before all else we stand united, we stand together, to improve life for ourselves and our children, to ensure this nation will be a stronger and better nation for our grandchildren. If these two storms taught us nothing else we should each have learned just how valuable it is to stand together, work together, and build a better country, bringing America back to what it once was or perhaps an even better America.
May God Bless America and may he help all those who have been effect by these two storms and help the rest of this nation stand together so Texas and Florida has all the help they need to rebuild.
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