Where I am was affected greatly by the derecho. I had never heard that term before. According to weather.com it is an inland hurricane. According to the National Weather Service, we experienced winds of 81mph with heavy rain and hail. Unfortunately, there were 3 deaths in the area. Damage is still being added up. The most immediate impact was lost of power. Some, like my daughter, are not expecting restoration for 5-7 days. Some, like myself, were in the dark only a matter of hours. And we are a mere quarter mile apart.
It was a great opportunity for people to help others. That it was not as devastating as a tornado or an actual hurricane may have embolden people to act like asses and make their bat shit brethren proud. Comments to newspaper articles (why they allow them I’ll never know), (anti)social media, and some news shows included things like the repair people are sitting on their hands so they can soak up the premium time by delaying repairs until the weekend, and there’s plenty of electricity, they just don’t want to turn it on. Honestly, if some people weren’t halfwits they’d be no wits.
You wouldn’t know it by the preponderance of ignorance and stupidity, but apparently people are meant to be social animals, working toward the good of the species. Love is generally considered the innate virtue while apathy and outright hatred are learned qualities. It is no wonder Mr. Rogers encouraged people to “look for the helpers” when they were in trouble, helping being so terribly out of fashion that is doesn’t simply flow from people.
Yesterday’s Uplift post Born Helpers explored some amazing acts of self sacrifice and love for mankind carried out in of all places, a prisoners of war camp. It is a remarkable and moving tribute to the helpers. You really should read it.
The Real Reality Show Blog 
I’m not sure why we’re not moved to be more helpful when others are in need. Maybe not wanting to inconvenience ourselves? Maybe not caring? Love should be our response, a willingness to help our fellow man. After all, we each inhabit the same earth. I’m sorry you and your daughter went through something this harsh. Living in hurricane country, it always surprises me who helps and who doesn’t. I loved your Uplift yesterday. The stories were amazing.
You raise such ponderable questions Dayle. Maybe we don’t care, or maybe there are too many of us who don’t care unless it affects them. the they are all over it wanting help from others. I think it may be that. The selfless have given ground to selfish. I know you must experience the helpers and the helpless where you are. It can easily turn overwhelming.
Thank you for pointing us to an important post and topic, Michael…so sorry to hear about the devastation so near both you and your daughter. 💔
Thank you Vicki. We’re doing fine. We have an abundance of helpers reaching out to us. Bu two many don’t. I remember not long ago we had a snowmagedden week and another not too long ago significant flooding from a hurricane that ran up the Mississippi and Ohio valleys. People were all over themselves helping other. the most recent of those was 13 years ago. Something happened in this last decade plus. People have become more not just self-centered but more expectant that they be the center of the universe. I don’t think they would hav done well in a prison camp. sorry for the unexpected rant.
Don’t apologize…I hear you. There’s a turning tide toward ‘protect thyself’. I feel it, too. I think it’s symptomatic of larger ills…and folks pulling back. Yup. Not a good sign, for sure. 😞
People have stopped learning to ask for help from real people. It is easier to ask for help on a website or via a form. Sometimes when we get help or a gift, we think we need to reciprocate (you gave me a can of home made salsa, I need to give you two kind of thing). Unfortunately, help really is a gift, one that thrives if we pass it on to someone else. That Pay it Forward thing is not as cool as it once was.
Kris, you said it so well, “help really in a gift.” So true! I always like the pay it forward – with help and guidance.