Ills from flood speak volumes about us

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Tweet By SAM HATCHER Emergency workers pulling 15- and 16-hour shifts, volunteers stopping to lend a hand to a shopkeeper whose store had been stained and glazed with mud, and churches that opened their doors to those who were left homeless all speak volumes about who we are and why folks in Wilson County are special.      The flooding that devastated Wilson and other Middle Tennessee counties this past weekend has left us all with memories, not so pleasant as they may be, that we will not forget for a long while. But we should all be mindful that there is much good on which we may focus as well. By SAM HATCHER Emergency workers pulling 15- and 16-hour shifts, volunteers stopping to lend a hand to a shopkeeper whose store had been stained and glazed with mud, and churches that opened their doors to those who were left homeless all speak volumes about who we are and why folks in Wilson County are special.      The flooding that devastated Wilson and other Middle Tennessee counties this past weekend has left us all with memories, not so pleasant as they may be, that we will not forget for a long while. But we should all be mindful that there is much good on which we may focus as well. For more than 48 hours we saw one helping hand after another coming to the aid of others. Good neighbors helping good neighbors. And this continues even today, some three days after flood waters began to recede, and will continue for days to come. When we speak publicly about community values and quality of life issues, these are the good deeds and the good folks about whom we speak. We’ve been hurt. Our community has been hurt. Many have been affected directly. Others have friends or relatives who have sustained damage. And some just have an empty feeling in their hearts as they try to empathize with those who are victims. Many are still without shelter. The financial losses are escalating at great strides and businesses that have been crippled by an ailing economy must now deal with even more tragedy, trying to recover from a horrendous flood. The days and weeks ahead are going to be stressful and difficult. They will surely require that our community remains compassionate and caring and constantly maintaining a spirit of helpfulness. This is indeed who we are. This is Wilson County.