A Toast: To the Ordinary Hero
Oct. 28th, 2012 08:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ariannaHey, I guess we've all heard about the 'Frankenstorm' about to hit the East Coast and the predictions re: flooding, high winds and power outages up and down the seaboard and in the mountains following up to two feet of snow. Me? I was supposed to be in Delaware and then Norfolk, Virginia, this weekend, visiting friends along the path of my annual trek to California. Okay, well, not exactly 'on' the path but you get the idea. Anyway, here I am, instead, in Tennessee, having turned tail and run like a rabbit as far and as fast as I could away from the storm's path. I'm worried though, about all of you in its path, hunkered down, hatches battened, candles and flashlights and bottles of water and food ready.
I suppose most either run like me, for safer ground or hunker down. But all day yesterday and all day today, I saw streams of ordinary heroes heading toward the coast and into the mountains. How did I know who they were? Well, one after another, in clusters or alone, brigades and then it had to add to battalions of hydro vehicles sped down the highway from state after state, moving to where they would so shortly be so badly needed.
I found myself wondering about all those men and I presume women as well who were willfully heading into a storm the like of which the scientists have never seen before. Which maybe nobody has ever seen before. I wondered if they were scared, or exhilarated. Do they see it as an adventure or just as the job that takes them away from home and into danger? Resolute, certainly courageous, ordinary folks, off to do their jobs, to bring light and heat and power back to those who will be losing it to high winds, heavy rain and snow. I don't know if it comforts any of you who are in the path of the storm to know these people are on their way, are maybe already there, waiting, to do what they can, to do their best, in the days ahead. It was all just so matter of fact somehow and yet very touching, very evocative so I wanted to acknowledge them, salute them, recognize them as everyday, ordinary heroes we so often never see and nearly always simply take for granted.
I suppose most either run like me, for safer ground or hunker down. But all day yesterday and all day today, I saw streams of ordinary heroes heading toward the coast and into the mountains. How did I know who they were? Well, one after another, in clusters or alone, brigades and then it had to add to battalions of hydro vehicles sped down the highway from state after state, moving to where they would so shortly be so badly needed.
I found myself wondering about all those men and I presume women as well who were willfully heading into a storm the like of which the scientists have never seen before. Which maybe nobody has ever seen before. I wondered if they were scared, or exhilarated. Do they see it as an adventure or just as the job that takes them away from home and into danger? Resolute, certainly courageous, ordinary folks, off to do their jobs, to bring light and heat and power back to those who will be losing it to high winds, heavy rain and snow. I don't know if it comforts any of you who are in the path of the storm to know these people are on their way, are maybe already there, waiting, to do what they can, to do their best, in the days ahead. It was all just so matter of fact somehow and yet very touching, very evocative so I wanted to acknowledge them, salute them, recognize them as everyday, ordinary heroes we so often never see and nearly always simply take for granted.
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Date: 2012-10-29 01:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-29 02:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-29 02:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-29 04:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-29 03:47 am (UTC)That's really inspirational; thanks for sharing.
So, does that mean you'll be in Hobbs earlier? I'm so looking forward to your visit -- as are Cindy and Nancy.
.
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Date: 2012-10-29 04:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-29 01:09 pm (UTC)Mankind is such contradictory species, isn't it? One the one hand capable of unbelievable stupidity and cruelty, and on the other demonstrating deep and incredible compassion - altruistic, self sacrificing, and generous in both deed and determination.
Here's to heroes!
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Date: 2012-10-31 03:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-29 11:19 pm (UTC)Laurie
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Date: 2012-10-31 03:00 am (UTC)Marilyn
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Date: 2012-10-31 04:40 am (UTC)Enjoy Nashville. 2nd Street is where there's a lot of music happening in bars and such.
Laurie
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Date: 2012-10-31 02:02 pm (UTC)