This last week, our lives have been consumed with Hurricane Dorian. We watched in horror as the storm hovered over the neighboring Bahamas and loomed ominously headed toward Florida, but holding back from its original intent, and ultimately as it marched up the coast away from some friends, family and neighbors and toward other friends and family. People scrambled, bought, traveled, hunkered down, shuttered, scurried to keep the storm from reaching them. Unfortunately, Dorian was able to reach many homes and people with a vengeance. The damage has been catastrophic in terms of lives, in terms of property and in terms of disruption. At this writing, the death toll has reached 43 with a knowledge that the number has not been finalized. You can read more about it here. Because Florida is my home, I can think of no one who has avoided the impact of Hurricane Dorian.
Considering it further, I realize that there are things that Dorian can teach us, and there are things that Dorian could never reach.
- Dorian can never reach the light in the hearts of the people who live in its region. I’m thinking light in the terms of the old song, “This Little Light of Mine.” He could instill fear, or panic, or respect, but he could never reach the goodness in the hearts of the residents. I saw people helping strangers, sharing supplies, putting shutters on windows for those who could not do it themselves and I saw kindness and neighborliness rise above the storm’s threat. One of my students told me that she was sitting on a stack of water that her mom was purchasing, so her mom could help a perfect stranger carry her bottles of water to the checkout. It was clear to the girl and her mom that this other person needed help and they stopped what they were doing to make it happen. When she told me this story, she smiled sweetly and said, “Isn’t it great how the light can shine in the dark times?” I smiled and her, and told her how important it was to keep shining the light.
- Dorian can never touch the love in the hearts of people who live in the region he visited. Every place I frequent is full of information of actions I can take to help the Bahamas. My school, and many other schools, my church, and many others, my police department and many others all have specific things we can do to be an active part in the restoration and rebuilding of the Bahamas. Most stores have collection places to help. By now most people have heard about the gentleman who bought 100 generators and other supplies for the Bahamian people. While we can never heal the loss of lives, we can show the love we have for our neighbors by sharing with them in the hour of greatest need. We can love our neighbor as ourselves. Dorian can not dim that love.
- Dorian can never touch the laughter in the hurricane region. We can laugh at the situation and make the load lighter. Many a meme was created for the enjoyment of strangers, bored, afraid and cooped up in their homes. Many a game was played by family and friends, laughing and hanging around, awaiting whatever the storm might deal. They say you have to laugh or you will cry, but living in a hurricane prone area, you find that to be the truth.
Dorian (and any number of life’s storms and tragedies) can never touch the important things that reside with in each of us. Let’s cultivate laughter, love and light every day, not just in the weeks surrounding the hurricane. When you head to the classroom this week, make sure your day does not diminish your light, your love and your laughter.
First published September 7, 2019
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