This last week has been long. I had been yearning to get to Joplin and do anything I could to get my hands dirty and my hat sweaty. I had things going on all week and I didn't think I would get to make a trip down there this week. But sometimes when you don't expect it God opens...I ran through it.
Enter Wednesday...I was supposed to have a family shoot the next day and thought maybe I could go down early and help until noon. I mean I was taking my little girl to the lady that had been keeping her before I was laid off. I CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN. I get a message...it was about the shoot...sick kids :( they need to move the date. While this is not a good thing...the result of what I can now do is.
Thursday, I find myself just past Mt. Vernon, MO heading towards Joplin thinking of what this day may bring. I've seen the pictures heard the reports, but nothing could prepare me. I think what if it was me...what if my girl now had nothing...no toys...her stuffed animals...her "best friends" what if she didn't have me..or me have her...her mommy...my wife. Needless to say tears filled my eyes with the first thought running through my head. I can help...help pick up peoples "lives" their belongings scattered across the land. I can unload the multitude of donations coming in. I can take supplies out to those already in the 6 mile "footprint." But what if I was not "allowed" in...There are shelters where families are "living" places they are calling 'home" if I can't do all that I will go there.
My little one just turned 3. She can mentally wear me out sometimes and I still have my home. I can't even think of all the added stress and trying to deal with her loss as well...nothing to play with...and even nobody to play with. These younger kids not even fully aware of what has happened. Bright eyed...huge smile...no cares. If I can't get in to "ground zero" this is what I will do. Rest mommy...rest daddy...you may not know me, but I am here to help. I can't bring back your house...I can't bring back what or who may have been lost. But I WILL bring a smile to your children's face. You do what you need to do, I will be here and I will stay here until you come back. We will be here to greet you with a hug...a smile...an embrace to try and help with what you face.
As a parent you know the feeling when you see the smile and laughter comes from that little one you love. So if you can't get in to help physically...here is also my thoughts spilled out for you to think over.
Exit 8 into Joplin...a right turn I make...I stop by The Bridge and a helping hand they take. Unloading cars and trucks the come down the drive. Things from here and there all to help something that was lost. It was amazing the out pour of love that was cast upon the Ozarks. Here in our back yard. Seeming like it was only the people of the US helping give back. Funny how something happens across the world and here we are to help out...but when it's us in facing the heartache we stand here on our own. We are the best country on the Earth. We have our troops fighting to keep us free...but something else we have...LOVE...love that shines through...those who have been given lots, give back. Those who have little, give back. Those who have nothing, give back. We have our differences...we have things that make us mad. But when a time comes to help those who have lost it all...we drop it all and come together as one. Not divided by the accents...not torn apart by religion...not looking at the color, but looking at the heart within. American flags blowing in the wind in Joplin...TRUE Americans coming to help those in need.
We don't sit around and wait for others to help us...we never have...as American's...we just go get things done.
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