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Thoughts on Harvey

Houston Police SWAT officer Daryl Hudeck
David J. Phillip / AP

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?

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Down on Their Luck

Houston Homeless
Houston Homeless

I was just stopped at a red light and a bum was there. I was at the intersection of Westheimer and Voss. I didn’t read his sign, I just rolled down the window to give him my spare change. Usually, when I do this, the guy will talk to me for some reason. I said “you’re welcome” when he thanked me and his eyes kind of lit up and he said “You have a lovely voice!” I said thank you and smiled real big, and he smiled in return. I bet he hasn’t smiled that big in a long time; his teeth were not in the best shape and he kind of covered his mouth a little but continued to smile. Then, he came back and asked me to roll down the window again. I did, and he said “That voice would sound funny on me!” And we both laughed. Since he was a gruff sounding, middle aged White dude and I am me, I’m sure it would be funny if we switched voices. But it was nice to share a laugh, give away some spare change, and have an authentic interaction with a stranger. Maybe something like this will happen to you today, too. Happy Saturday, meat bags.