My friends and family, as Lions we are taught there is no color of skin, no politics allowed, and no religion. We are in 214 countries with all colors of skin, all kinds of political views and many religions. We overcome all of that and work together in common goal of helping our communities. Continue reading to learn how America comes together in this historic flooding event to support those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
There is not much in the world I can truly say I hate. But I hate Hurricane Harvey and the destruction/devastation it has caused. So many of us are from Texas here, I am sure you have lost sleep and been glued to your TV for news of family and friends.
Harvey has taken so much from so many. Homes, lives, hopes, jobs–all washed into the Gulf of Mexico by his relentless anger. As the horrifying images and desperate needs flash across my screen in endless and quick succession, I sit here with tears in my eyes. Where do you begin? I have never felt so helpless. My friends and family are in dire straits and I can’t do anything but pray. It is a terrible feeling.
Images of pregnant women and their toddlers stuck on roofs waiting hours upon hours for help. Tents on a roof. A lady with seven feet of water in her home swimming for her life to a rescue boat. An elderly couple trapped in their attic with rising water. A man drowned as he clung desperately to a shopping cart return in a parking lot. The animals, some amazing rescue of horses and cattle, dogs….I cry and so thankful for those that are helping. 18,000 rescued from the flood.
Hundreds of thousands stranded. Thousands homeless, or in need of rescue. No water. No food. No end in sight. No way out. Families can’t even get out to help them because of devastating flooding and road closures all around. It is a feeling of hopeless, helpless heartbreak that I cannot even begin to express.
My heart is heavy.
However, in the deluge, there is also something incredibly beautiful emerging. You see, Harvey has washed away something–hatred. The only color in greater Houston today is red, white, and blue. The only religion on the streets is love. There is no race, no creed, no gender, no socioeconomic classes, no nationality, no sexual orientation, no religion– there are only people helping people. There are only strangers opening their homes to strangers. There are only men and women risking their precious lives for other precious lives.
Today, no matter who you worship, the color of your skin, where you were born…I see America I know and believe in. For a stunning moment, the world has stopped fighting against each other and started fighting for each other. It is breathtaking.
