This afternoon I had intended to post something different. However, the events of this week have led me to change those plans. This afternoon is one for mourning, remembering, and honoring our friends still weathering the storm in Oklahoma.
Dear friends in Oklahoma, we are pained by the loss and devastation you have faced so bravely. As we watch and listen, we share that pain with all of you. To the families who have lost loved ones, there are so many of us who could not bear what you are bearing. And there are many who, having weathered life’s severe hurricanes, reach to you in extra measure. We are thinking about you so much.
We’ve grown used to the idea of control in our age. The shock of unexpected disaster is always fresh, and it is always humbling. Natural disasters confront us with our lack of control, our stark mortality, and our stark equality.
In this place of shock and loss, however, there is a beautiful paradox. Stripped of control and stripped of possessions, we become more connected. In this state, heroism flourishes in the most common places. In this state, each person has a call, and each seems to readily rise to it. In this state, compassion blossoms in every heart. In this state, the most beautiful strings of our humanity shine.
Think of it. We’ve had storms before – so many in the recent past. Sandy and Katrina, as well as the “storms” of Newtown and Boston and 9/11. A pattern emerges in the tradgedy: The pain awakens our hearts to one another and calls forth our courage. It is that beautiful paradox: Ordinary people like you and me begin to run toward the explosions, toward the rubble, NOT away from them. We run toward each other. We walk as WE. And, as we do, the world sees mankind more vibrant and beautiful than at any other time.
Sue Ogroki was one of the first AP photographers to reach the destruction in Moore. Her shots do capture chaos, but they also capture much more. In her shots are the teachers, the volunteers passing rescued children from one set of arms to another–human chains. Her images give me courage and a reason to celebrate.
I celebrate teachers who, shielding children with their own bodies, were instinctively braver than they had ever imagined.
I celebrate children who comforted one another by singing songs, giving hugs, or telling a friend, “it will all be okay”.
I celebrate those who, without thinking of their own devastated homes, ran toward piles of rubble to help their neighbors.
I celebrate the volunteers who held children they did not know, until they could be reunited with their parents.
I celebrate a community that came together, a country that came too.
I celebrate those who organized relief before relief organizations even arrived.
I celebrate what all of this means about each of us, and what it means for the future.
I recently read an article about a decline of “virtue” words in books over the last century. The author reports that certain virtues were “particularly hard hit.” Words like “bravery” and “fortitude” fell by over 60%. Gratitude words like “thankfulness” or “appreciation” dropped by nearly 50%. “Community” and “sharing” words also declined steeply. The shift in our language may be a warning, but it is not the final verdict. Oklahoma has proved it.
Take time to celebrate the heroes – and remember you are one of them. Let pain open your heart to others. Walk as WE wherever you are. For truly, our feet were planted on Mother Earth to walk amongst one another.
