This past weekend, Middle Tennessee got some rain. Lots of rain. In fact, we got 1/4 of our annual rainfall in just two days. And it's been devastating. If you've seen the pictures, you know what I mean.
As I write, much of downtown Nashville is still under water. Communities in Williamson County and Bellevue are, too. The venerable Opryland Hotel had to be evacuated, the Titan's stadium is a swimming pool, and industries up and down the Cumberland River have lost millions of dollars in equipment and dry goods. Worse, families are uprooted. Homes are uninhabitable. Septic and sewer systems have backed up into the muddy water and mold is going to be an ongoing worry. Families without flood insurance (which would be most of them, considering that the vast majority of the ruined homes are not in flood plains), have to figure out how, and if, they'll rebuild.
Lives are ruined. It's a mess. In fact, in many ways it's on par with what New Orleans went through a few years back.
But, ummm ....
Where's our telethon? Where's the national outpouring of concern? Where's the parade of celebrities encouraging everyone to pitch in and help save Nashville? Will the president visit to see the damage? Will Hollywood raise money on our behalf? Can we look forward to Katrina-like aid?
No. It's probably not coming. But, you know what? That's okay, because here's what I HAVE seen:
I've seen pictures and video of abandoned grocery stores. But, the windows are still intact. I've seen businesses and electronic centers closed up. But, I have not seen any looting. I have not seen angry mobs busting windows and stealing stuff. There have been no riots. There have been no marauding gangs. There have been no murders.
I've heard firsthand reports (from my own brother, no less) of people with boats who worked tirelessly for upwards of 36 straight hours, rescuing their neighbors, their friends, and total strangers, from the rising waters. One woman was sitting upstairs on her bed with the water up to her neck when the boat arrived. She's fine, by the way.
I've heard stories of young people caught in raging water while their parents watched, only yards away, powerless to save them. A string of brave, strong men banded together, held each other, and dragged the young couple to safety. And they're fine, by the way.
I watched video of two horses, stranded in a field that had become a lake, huddled together against the torrent of water that rose to their bridles, frightened but steady. And I watched men and women in boats gently pull alongside and grab their bridles, careful not to be pulled in themselves. The last I saw of them, the horses were being led slowly to higher ground. And they're fine, by the way.
I've seen this entire community pull together. Today there was a radio marathon on all of the local Clear Channel stations, raising awareness and raising money for the people who need it most. It was going, immediately and directly, to people who needed clothes, food, toothbrushes, medicine, shelter. No red tape. No overhead. Just help.
I've seen neighbors take in strangers. I've seen people instantly gather clothes, furnishings, the stuff of life, and just give it away because "it was the right thing to do." And everyone who has lived through this storm has similar stories to tell -- of bravery, of selflessness, of caring, of kindness.
The last few days I've seen good, decent, hard-working people band together against terrible circumstances. They didn't ask for anything. They didn't come looking for handouts. They looked for the opportunity to help. They pitched in and did whatever they could. And they'll continue that way until things are set right. Right now, I'm feeling pretty darned good about Tennessee.
So, if Hollywood does not come to our aid, no problem.
Because we're fine, by the way.
