HURRICANE IKE

Right now myheart and mind right now are with the people who are suffering from Hurricane Ike. I know I am a week late, but yesterday it HIT.ME.HARD. Some of you might know that I work for Contin*ntal airline who's HUB is in Houston. I work on the bussines elite desk in the reservations area. For ten days now I have worked either changing reservations for people who are either trying to get to their homes before or trying to flee away before Ike hits. As a whole I thought "wow, this is really bad" but when I started to talk to individual people, I realize how personal it has become to me.

I might be generalizing here, but I am assuming the elite callers I service are pretty financially stable. Some have talked about being able to bathe in their pools. Some have generators. While others have been able to flee away from the storm and later return. My heart goes out to these people but who I really am concerned for are those who are poor. Those who do not have the insurance to regroup their losses. Have extra food on hand, generators, gas, lodging and pools.

The day after Ike it, I talked to an elder man (sounding about 80 ish) from Galveston. He said his house has 5 feet of water in it and his large boat has sunk. Granted he was not poor and he could re-coop his losses but was still suffering. When I chatted with him, I thought he just might loose it and cry. He said he has given up hope of starting over and thinks he just may move to his son's in Kansas City. To be 80 and start over--- not a good thing.

Last night there was another man who talked about the joys of service he and his family were experiencing. His church had organized their missionaries, youth and able body adults into work forces to help those who can dig out, cut down and comfort. He said by giving service to others, they were able to deal with the losses that they were experiencing. He said there is always someone else who is worst off. He laughed that at his own home there were trees to be cleaned up but somehow helping others seems more urgent.

Every night for the past week on my drive home I re-hash my night. I digest the stories of service, suffering and pain. How can this not touch me all the way from Texas to Utah? I have grown in thought and spirit listening to others suffering and service. I have tried to give a listening ear and warm words to those I can touch via my job.

So to the people who are touched at all by Hurricane Ike, my love and heart goes out to you. I pray that these times of sorrow will also bring you strength and clarity in your lives. I wish you the best life can offer you at this moment.