My friends, I'm writing to you from Durango, Colorado right now. But, as you may have heard the news or have experienced it first-hand, Hurricane Helene has done quite the number in my city, Greenville, and in Western North Carolina. My home and studio suffered minor damage (as seen in photo), and our neighborhood is still without power. We had left for Colorado a day before Helene hit our city to visit family, and to see this disaster unfold before our eyes away from home has been surreal. Part of me wishes I was home when this all happened, so we could experience it with our neighbors and be a help to those who suffered major losses.
Our 24/7 newsfeed constantly bombards us with the latest and often sad news, and it's so easy to feel disheartened. We aren't meant to carry all the tragedy of the world. But, we are meant to live in community. I think in our modern era, it is easy for us to be dependent on ourselves or even “our people” and not actually have a relationship with our neighbors. It is easy to help the people we love and “our people” who we see eye to eye on everything but not help the ones closest to us. Helene reminded us that we need each other. Our neighbors matter and relying on each other matters. Every road was blocked by a tree. Power lines were down. Internet service was spotty. We needed any able bodied person in proximity to work together to cut trees to clear the roads so medical services can get through neighbors in need. Tarps and buckets were gathered for neighbor's homes that were smattered. Neighbors with generators offered hot showers, phone charging stations. Neighborhoods kids entertained each other and lived their happiest lives. We need each other to bear each others burdens. We need each other in the bad times, but I also in the good times. Don't forget to love on your neighbors after we each go back to our own homes.
Here are a couple heartwarming stories of neighbors helping neighbors:
My friend, Emily, puts it so well: “This is not a post about Greenville, though. About how beautiful its people are, or how proud I am to see it pull together and harness its creativity and generosity. All this is true. But this is a post to say to Western North Carolina and Asheville: look how much these people love you. You are seen. We have no grandiose notions of fixing anything – nothing can undo what you’ve seen and restore what you’ve lost; roll back the tapes. Not until Jesus comes and as Tolkein says, “makes all sad things come untrue.” But until then – you are not alone.”
I'm looking forward to getting back to Greenville and help in
whatever way I can. It's going to be a long time, if even possible, that Asheville and all the WNC towns will be the same again. Here are some ways to help:- Happy Helicopters
- BeLoved Asheville
- Local churches are a great way to reach out to. They know exactly what their communities need.
- Samaritan's Purse
- CERF: Specifically for craft artists! There are so many good ones in Asheville and the River Arts District was completely wiped out.
