Reflection: Houston's Courage

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings, I wanted to think and reflect.

     The truth is that I feel utterly blessed with the fact that I was able to visit Houston, Texas. As I mentioned earlier I was sad that I have to leave because of the circumstance, but at the same time when I arrived I felt a deep sense of gratitude, and a sense of wholeness with my presence. To be able to help, assist, touch lives when they need it the most, also helped me. To share the grievance, and also to uplift others. This is the beauty of having a diverse experience, or experiences that expand beyond the self. They allow us to obtain lenses, perspectives, gather information, observe, and at the same time contribute to our own growth and development. 

     I think for me settling back into a normal routine will take a while. Thinking of those who have lost so much, and the many organizations who are still in need of volunteers, the desire to help and assist still remains. It does not matter if I'm here, I'm still in Houston - My footsteps, my breaths, and my heartbeats that carried me as I walked the paths remain. These allowed me to see the courage of Houstonians, the victims, as well as the service workers, agencies and volunteers, and the out - pouring of support from all angles. To see this really gave me strength, to see how everyone is pulling together. Our communities are awe inspiring. I know that this is a strong city from what I have seen. There is strength, courage, and also a fragility. 

     Houstonians were able to pull together, with the help of outside agencies, to provide emergency relief and supplies. The work to re-build and re-new should also be a focus now as well. The people who need supplies will continue to need these until they are able to support themselves. The people need homes, their jobs, and their livelihoods. They need to be able to get back on their feet with assistance. It is my hope that everyone gets housed. This is where the main body of funding received should be going, also to local businesses who have been effected and infrastructure repair. There was also discussions of the Dams, such as Addicks, Barker, and Cypress, that were needing repairs before the hurricane even happened. So here we have an opportunity for city planners to really put their heads together, to think about future plans for re-building.

     As we think about rebuilding, renewing, and we are eager to get back to normality, we cannot forget all the lives that have been lost during this natural / humanitarian disaster, and the brave men,  women, their families, the courage that all of city, and state has demonstrated. A special thank you is not enough for all of the emergency services who risked their lives for their fellow human beings. And the assistance from all over the nation, thank you. Once again I am truly grateful for this path.

     Dear Houston:
You are strong, very strong. I found wholeness through the brokenness. Maybe this is what love is? In each others brokenness, we find a sense of wholeness? I think that Houstonians are stronger than me. Maybe if I was still there in person helping, assisting, recovering with you,  I would be strong like you. It is more difficult to watch someones pain from afar - and for this Houston, I ask you for prayers. 

Dedication: The words of this being are dedicated to the brave men and women of Houston, surrounding areas and Texas. To those on the path of Irma and the earthquake that struck Mexico today, you are in our thoughts. Sending love & kindness.