Maybe we needed Harvey for a reality check. When these things happen, we realize what is most important to us. What’s most important to us is not getting work done, but making sure our loved ones are safe. Not our jobs, not money, but only each other. Our phones and computers did not seem to work fast enough to check on the people who matter most to us.
In Houston, where sometimes it seems to be all about what kind of car you drive or what area of town you live in, Harvey made us realize no matter who you are, what area of town you live in, you are still susceptible to life, and life is fragile. Both poor neighborhoods and upper class neighborhoods were affected. Harvey did not discriminate; hurricanes, mother nature, and God do not discriminate.
For me, so much bonding occurred during these times that the whole experience wasn’t completely negative. I spent more time than ever before with neighbors and their children talking eating, drinking and watching the news. Yes, seeing our city underwater and the people trying to get out from under it or away from it was sad for us as a community and for the whole city of Houston. Thank God there are millions of people sending millions of dollars to our city to put it back together. We have a great, thriving city and I hope that we can make changes to improve it.
Today is a Sunny day after 6 days of dreary, dark, rainy weather the sun came out again. People seem more friendly, I am more friendly, I talk with the barista while getting my morning coffee. We ask each other “How are you doing?” and “How is your family?” This never happened before. Something like this can bring us together. Maybe I, maybe we needed it?