Updated life lessons from Helene, 10/13/2024
As a boy growing up, my (Andrew) mom often said that a lot of Christian faith and compassion can be demonstrated by showing up with a chicken and rice casserole and listening. She said you cannot fix the problem that another person or family has, but you can show them they are not alone.
Sunday, under the bright blue sky that was so beautiful after the Thursday-Friday storm, I found a Helene version of my mother’s wisdom that love, grace, and hope has many forms. I would add that compassion is showing up with ham and cheese sandwiches, cold water, work gloves and a chainsaw. Also, for doing good stuff and finding out where to go, I would like to add Google maps to the treasures of the Magi!
Helene gave us the opportunity to learn, again, and live these lessons. On Monday, after the storm raged Thursday and Friday and nearly all of us had no power, few had water, and cell service was spotty at best, Fr David Henson called who could hear to St James to meet in the parish hall and began the process of healing, assessment, outreach, and planning how to help. We asked for names of people to visit.
Monday afternoon, after a trip to upstate SC to get food for the shelter, gas, and the precious commodity- ice, we returned to Hendersonville and received names of parishioners to visit. After nightfall on Monday, we found our way to a parishioner’s dark house, the road blocked by a large tree just beyond her drive and brought her ice. We told her we would be back the next day and check on her. We have visited and helped her with food, hot coffee in a thermos, batteries and a lantern, a cooler with frozen water bottles, and water to drink.
This has been and will continue to be a long journey, but in faith, none are alone. We have work gloves in the car.