Compassion During Crisis: That's the State of Our Union!

 

 

 

 

Compassion During Crisis: That's the State of Our Union!

Shoppers stocking up and students in school and employees at work, awaiting the verdict for their early dismal in Georgia. This was the state of Georgia late Tuesday morning. And then the snow  began to fall: fluffy, light and white, as my full-length black coat served as the perfect backdrop for these snow flakes. I twirled outside in it for a few minutes and then realized that the chill was greater than the thrill.

Steady snowfall and temperatures continuing to plunge was the beginning of what is now a historical snow storm of Georgia. The call to dismiss students at some schools were issued in a staggered form by grades; some schools delayed until they were certain an early dismal was necessary and employers allowed many to go home early, of which many did, and some lingered behind.  If you could imagine a mad exodus on every vein and highway in metro Atlanta, while the ice began to form and roads became like a skating rink, then you can see what we experienced.

Thousands were stuck in traffic, taking 6-12 hours over greater than 24 hours for what would normally take minutes to reach their destination. There were over 1,200 reported car accidents, hundreds of injuries, and 1 fatality at the time of this writing. Hundreds remained stranded on the roads, some who ran out of fuel, some who abandoned their vehicles and some who just waited out for hopeful, forward movement. Hundreds of students were detained at schools across the counties, because the school buses nor parents could get to them. No one could have ever imagined that this winter snow storm would paralyze metro Atlanta and the busiest airport in the United States. But it did!

We were crippled, but not fully disabled.  The spirit of Georgia's warm hospitality is alive and well!Principals,  Teachers, Support Staff and Parents rose to the occasion. They protected and provided for our children that were stranded at their schools, giving them protective care and a warm place to rest their little souls until they could be reunited with their families.

Michelle Sollicito had the insight to start several Facebook pages "SnowedInAtlanta" was one, to allow people to post about their loved ones who were stranded, missing and offer a forum for those who could assist that were nearby or could intervene by phone, prayer or otherwise. My heart was and continues to be moved by the compassion of Joe Schmitz the truck driver, who was near the women who was stranded with her newborn without formula or diapers.  And Esra Cherelle, a mother of a newborn, who left her home with pampers and formula in tow to assist the women with the baby who was stranded.

There were many who went to help those with health conditions, such as diabetes, and respiratory ailments, because they're families could not reach them.  To my sweetheart, Hopeton Blair, who weathered the cold overnight and  provided rides to those who could not otherwise get around. And the countless gracious folks who took to the roads on foot, offering water, snacks and blankets who were left in the cold, we say THANK YOU!  You know you're in the South, when people open their homes, businesses and their hearts to house strangers, who became friends, that were stranded without shelter.

There were hundreds of snow angels who served and continues to serve as a central station checking upon friends, loved ones and even new acquaintances to ensure they were safe and had what they needed or provided updates on road conditions. And online spreadsheets were created  to assist those in need.  THIS IS THE REAL STATE OF OUR UNION:  We are a compassionate set of Americans here to serve across borders, counties, and political lines. Now that's DA Art of Living!

 

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” ~Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

"I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy."

~Rabindranath Tagore

 

 God moves and works through all who are open.

 

Simply Lady Dana

January 2013 (c)