Otherwise, I checked in on the Weather Channel for updates on Hurricane Gustav.
As a child and teenager who grew up down in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, I went through 2 hurricanes and several tropical storms. I remember Hurricane Beulah when I was in 5th grade. Not really that much wind . . . but oh, it rained and rained and rained and rained. We had standing water for over a month.
So, I think I truly feel for the people of the Gulf Coast. I used to live there, and except for hurricanes and tropical storms, I miss it still to this day. I love the Texas Gulf Coast, and do not get to visit there as much as I would like.
Our good friends, the Laughlin's, have lived in the Houston area for over 3o years, and have only had to leave once . . . and that was the storm that came through before Katrina hit New Orleans. They were able to get back home about a week later. No real bad damage, but they have since moved from the northeast side of Houston, down to Pearland on the southwest side of Houston.
Amazing . . . only having to leave the Houston area once in 30+ years because of a hurricane.
I think of the people of Louisiana, many who have left their homes, communities and state for the 2nd time in 3 years . . . and, according to the Weather Channel, people in the Gulf Coast may have to leave again in the weeks to come as several tropical weather events are lining up in the Atlantic.
I can't imagine, going to a shelter in another state, or staying with family or friends . . . and wanting to go back home, but being told to stay away . . . I can imagine the heavy hearts.
I can imagine that some of the people of the Gulf Coast are feeling a bit "picked on" these days.
Funny thing though . . . where ever you live . . . there are going to be weather related events unique to your situation and location.
If you live on the Gulf Coast . . . then you will probably experience a hurricane at some point.
If you live where I do in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas . . . they you know that in the spring and early summer . . . we get really bad thunderstorms with heavy hail and a tornado or two. I had to have a new roof put on my home this past year from storms last summer.
The same if you live in Oklahoma or Kansas . . . except you have more tornadoes.
If you live in California . . . the dry Santa Anna winds make conditions right for fires.
If you live in Washington State . . . you are going to have more days of rain than days when it doesn't rain.
If you live around the Great Lakes . . . you are going to have a blizzard or two.
You get the point . . .
Yet, we all choose to live in particular areas . . . because of family . . . or for a good job . . . or maybe because where we live is just "where we want to live!" For some it is more personal, we live where do we as part of a calling, as part of our being part of something bigger than ourselves. And weather, as always, is just something that goes along with the plan.
No doubt relief efforts for the Gulf Coast are beginning. My wife and I will donate what we can financially . . . and I am always open to going to do mission work if our church organizes a team. The 1st Church String Band is doing a fundraising concert on Oct. 19th. We initially planned to raise money for a water well in Kenya, but perhaps part of the money we raise may go to hurricane relief efforts. As other individual storm tracks unfold in these next few weeks, we will now more.
Please consider donating/helping if you are moved to do so.
Ever forward . . . ><>
1 comment:
Remnants of Gustav even made it up to us! We were thankful for the much needed rain. But think it came too late for much of the corn crop. At least the grass is the pastures should green up; steers don't like brown crispy grass.
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