Guilty that my home didn't receive damage. Well, let me rephrase that, my current home wasn't damaged by the flood. My former home, a house that had been in the family since it was built over fifty years ago, did receive damage. I drove by this week, curious. All looked well until I turned the corner and noticed that under the car port was the carpet from the basement, ripped out, along with wood paneling. I hurt for my former home, and felt sorrow for the new owner who hasn't been there a year. But deep down I was glad I wasn't the one dealing with the issue.
Truth be told, I am saddened.
Sad that I have not been able to volunteer. I applaud Belmont University for paying their employees for three days, but not requiring them to work, but rather volunteer in their community. I wish I had the opportunity to do more. Yes, I did make a donation to the Red Cross (fueled by new Twitter followers and Blog followers -- thanks guys!), but I haven't put in any sweat equity. I wish I had the time to do more.
Truth be told, I feel helpless.
Helpless that I cannot be of service to Bellevue and Neelys Bend, two areas that will always be a part of my life, one personally and one professionally. I have heard so many counts of loss, that my heart aches for these communities. From former coworkers to former students, there are many who have lost everything.
Truth be told, I am angry.
Angry that some students across the state will be held accountable for EOC (End of Course) when they have lost everything. How fair is it that we hold all students accountable for a simple test anyway, much less students who are grieving and dealing with the loss of homes, or worse family and friends? Students in my county will be largely unaffected as compared to their peers in Nashville, and NCLB cares not, nor has sympathy.
As I continue to write, I begin to realize guilt is not the emotion I wish to feel. I take pride in the fact Nashville has shown resiliency in the face of natural disaster. No, we haven't been the focus of the national media (although it is slowly starting to make mainstream national news -- thanks Cooper A!). No, Obama hasn't visited our flooded state, which is disappointing. If Nashvillians were looting and if there was pandemonium, we would be on every news channel or news internet site. But we are from Tennessee, the volunteer state, and even though I am not a UT fan, I am proud to be a member of the volunteer state. The charity, prayers, and deeds of Nashvillians are awe inspiring, enough so that I no longer feel guilty or angry, but proud.
Truth be told, Nashville will not just survive this disaster, but will be stronger for it.
I would like to address an issue that leaves me scratching my head. I have friends in several states who have told me that the coverage of the flood in Nashville, Tn, barely made mention in local tv markets. There are thousands of people here who are now without homes, because of the flooding, and yet no one has come down to do coverage over it. Tennessesseans have always helped neighboring states, and even gone out of their way to help states that weren't so close by. I am wondering why the limited coverage, thus the limited help to recover.
ReplyDeleteOne hypothesis is that we have been so civil, the story is not sensational enough for coverage by both the national media and smaller markets in other states. If this is the case it is simply embarrassing. My wife volunteered today and was amazed at both the generosity of strangers and at the devastation.
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