devastation….

When I think things are tough for me, I look at all of our pictures of Hurricane Charley. The destruction that other people had to endure remind me that I do not have it tough at all. My own co-workers and friends lost their houses…more than one of them. Candace rented, and it was gone. Everything was gone. When you rent, there is really no recourse to get your stuff (or at least some money) back. Paula owned her home. So did Edie. They don’t have them anymore…and as far as I know, they have yet to rebuild.

And now, along comes Katrina. The more I look at pictures, the more I am reminded of just how BLESSED I am. Every time I think I’ve seen the worst there is to see, I see more. Now Lance at Red State Rant (no, I don’t know him, and I’m sure he has not a CLUE who I am, but we have friends in common) has posted some of the best pictures I’ve seen. They’re real pictures…not taken by news guys or professionals. They’re pictures from the heart….and they are heartbreaking in the devastation that they show.

But…..

when you look at the pictures, towards the end, you begin to see a ray of hope. The churches. This is the thing that I hear, over and over. The churches are the ones who are truly helping, without red tape, without paperwork (that many people cannot produce right now). They speak of the churches from other parts of the country that are sending tractor trailer trucks full of supplies. I’m sooooo happy to say that I ran across one of these tractor trailer trucks, in my local WalMart parking lot, last week. I don’t even remember the name of the church that was collecting…but a lady handed me a list as I walked into the store. One of the items on the list was coffee….OMG, I cannot imagine being without my coffee (ok, yes I can, I went thru it during Charley, and it sucked). I bought a pound of coffee….no, it’s not much, but it’s something. I also had a bag of clothes in my car….which was headed for the Good Will. I asked the lady if they needed clothes….she was sooooo happy to take them…clothes that I was almost ready to throw away.

I am so glad that it went to the church, who took it to Louisiana. If I’d given it to the Good Will, it would have ended up in our local Good Will store….I’d rather see it go to people who truly need it.

Ok, I’m tired and I’m rambling….but please, go look at Lance’s pictures…..and hug your kids, and your family, and realize how truly blessed you are…and if you can, donate….there is probably a church in your hometown that is collecting, and sending, supplies, to Katrina victims. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be money….I still think how happy someone may have been to have that cup of coffee…and put on my old (but clean) jeans.