Look around you. No, don’t put it off. Just eyeball the things around you right now. There’s your purse, your cellphone, your pets, your collection of photos, your computer, the walls around you. Nothing wrong with that. You worked hard. . . very hard to have those things.
Now, imagine they’re all gone. No, not just those things, but your home, your neighbor’s home, your entire neighborhood, your car, your office, your way of earning a living. But you have insurance and it will put things back to normal. Well, maybe not today or even tomorrow, but eventually. In the meantime, you’re sorta at a loss. What about your prescriptions, your paying those bills that were coming due, your kids going to a school that doesn’t exist, your getting around, your everything.
You’ve worked hard all your life and never asked anyone for help. Now, you are among the homeless. . . the ones in need. But you’ve got your pride and begging or even asking is as foreign as hieroglyphics.
That’s exactly what the people of West are going through. Not only have they lost so much physically, they’re going through the ordeal of realizing that life is not and will never be the same. “Stuff” can be replaced, but their neighbors and friends cannot. Devastation was never defined this way. It was something that happened in the big cities like Oklahoma City and New York City.
Unlike the people of the Boston Marathon and the Kaufman killings, there is no one to point at and focus anger. There is simply shock, grief and loss.
The struggle for recovery will be tough. But the people of West do have neighbors who can provide for their needs and help them through the torturous ordeal of recovery. Dallas is one of those collections of neighbors. Whether it’s first responders showing up before the call is made, the renowned Parkland professionals caring for the burn victims or the generous locals who contribute money, blood and supplies, Dallas continues to prove how it opens it talents, hearts and wallets to help those who in need of assistance.
This week started with folks worrying about filing their income tax. It was far more horrific turning lives upside down. For now let’s put shock and grief aside to help the people in West recover from devastation. You know the drill all too well by now. Give time, money, blood today and in the days to come. And be grateful for what you have.