If you have read anything of mine in these past years, you know I am a huge fun of pop culture and especially the T.V. show, The Simpsons. A great look at suburbia that is always funny because it is so true. There is a line from the show that really hit home the last few weeks after that ice storm blanketed middle Tennessee for what seemed like forever.
Ned Flanders and Homer Simpson live next to each other on the show and Homer had to help Ned with a problem and at the end he says, “Homer, affordable tract housing made us neighbors, but you made us friends.”
Why did the ice storm make me think of that? Here’s why. Yes, we all have neighbors and yes, we probably have never spoken to some of them but in times of trouble, in times of need, we all come together to help. Friends, not because we are next to each other but because we care. It was evident all over the area when the ice storm hit and people were without power for days.
I was out for five days, others out 24 hours, some not at all. As I spoke to those who were without power, every story sounded the same. “My neighbor down the street who had power, he let us stay with them.” “My friend across town had power, and he said come stay with me.” “We had a downed tree in our yard and next thing we know, neighbors had chainsaws and cutting the branches away so we could get in and out of our house.”
Over and over and over, I heard these stories. On my radio show on 102.5 The Game, many callers who said the same thing as well. Neighbors, friends, strangers, all pulling together to help one another. It was so reminiscent of the tornado back in March of 2020. Whole subdivisions leveled, unfortunately many casualties, and so many people displaced. What happened after that was amazing. People from all over showing up and doing whatever they can to help anyone.
I asked one caller who said strangers showed up to help move a huge tree in his driveway, did he know any of them and he said, “Not a one but they weren’t strangers, they were angels.” Perfectly said.
We have been through a lot in our area in the past, say ten years. Every time it is shown the human spirit and kindness is stronger than anything Mother Nature throws our way. I just wish she had another hobby.
