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Don’t be an ostrich

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Do you know what ostriches sometimes do when there’s something they don’t want to face? They stick their head in the sand and wait for it to pass.

Sometimes, I’m an ostrich.

Last week’s tornadoes are the kind of thing that I’m ashamed to say I sometimes avoid thinking about. My heart gets overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of that sort of devastation and if I think about it too long, I become immobile with my inability to fix the whole thing.

Have you ever done that?

Yeah. I feel like about as big an ass for admitting that as you think I feel like right now.

I sat here on Tuesday night, IdolSnarking away on my computer. And when I went to bed that night and Joshua woke up, I was cranky for having my sleep interrupted.

Again. I’m an asstrich.

Here’s the thing that makes me most ashamed of myself.

Those tornadoes hit less than 20 miles away from where I grew up.

During the worst parts of the storm, my parents’ fear was so great that they left their house, feeling safer parked under a bridge to wait it out than in their own home. And the tornadoes didn’t even touch down where they live. So if it was that scary for them, imagine how scary it would’ve been for the people who lived it.

I am reading people’s Facebook statuses and they are updating about unnamed babies in NICUs and PICUs in an attempt to reunite parents with their children because they were separated, temporarily or God forbid permanently, during these storms.

People have lost everything they had in this world.

I’ve not considered that part of the state my home since my parents left me standing in the Sears parking lot 10 years ago this August.

But it is home. And home needs me.

My home needs you.


Ringgold–April 2011Online Slideshow Maker 

My friend Misty emailed me yesterday and asked for my help. While I don’t live there anymore, she does. And she’s seeing firsthand the devastation these people are living.

She and her family have been working the relief efforts, but the relief efforts are in need of help.

The United Way of Northwest Georgia has been working tirelessly since Wednesday night to assist those in need. Having lived there and volunteered with this organization in high school, I can tell you that the people who work and volunteer in that office have hearts for serving others.

I estimate I have about 500 readers on this blog via RSS and Google Friend Connect. If every single reader I have gives just $1, that’s $500 we will have raised for this relief effort. If everyone gives $2? That’s $1000. If each of us skips a latte or macchiato or frappe’ or whatever and gives $5? We will have raised $2500.

To make a donation, go HERE. Select “Emergency Assistance” from the drop-down menu. You can stay up-to-date on the relief efforts of the United Way of Northwest Georgia by liking them on Facebook.

Obviously, I can’t make you give. But I can ask.

You don’t have to tell me how much you give. That’s not what this is about. You don’t even have to tell me that you DID give if you don’t want to.

But I’d like for people, when they stumble across this post, to see that there are others in this world who aren’t ostriches in times of need.

So if you give, please let me know so that I can whisper a little prayer of thanks for you today.

In fact, I’m saying thanks for you already.

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Misty

Monday 2nd of May 2011

You are AWESOMENESS friend and anyone who donates or helps with the relief efforts during this crazy time for our friends & neighbors. This storm has brought me to the realization that this happens all to often maybe not a tornado to this magnitude but every house fire, every small diaster, these organizations are always there day/night/rain/shine- they are prepared and ready! God Bless everyone who participates in donating to these organizations and please spread the word to not only help our small neighboring community but also the others impacted by these storms, and GET INVOLVED with your local United Way or Red Cross to really make a difference. Again thank you so much for posting Miranda! Misty

Katie

Saturday 30th of April 2011

I'm glad you posted this. We had already donated to the relief causes, but it's important to raise awareness. Awesome goal, my friend.

Miranda

Saturday 30th of April 2011

Thank you, Katie!

Jen

Saturday 30th of April 2011

Thanks for sending this out Miranda. Our town held their breath that night and by the grace (undeserved favor) of God we were spared completely. Although less than 5 miles up the road from our home, 8 people lost their lives. I have family, friends, and co-workers that are living through this nightmare in Ringgold. Believe me...every penny will help.

Miranda

Saturday 30th of April 2011

Seeing the picture you posted stopped my breath for a bit, Jen.

I'm glad your family is okay.

Jana A

Saturday 30th of April 2011

I understand the paralysis. I do the same thing and it's painful. I hate it. I do it for all kinds of things, especially disasters like this. I've donated and passed on the word. I linked to this post and the United Way of North GA on my post about it. http://wp.me/p15q4j-BW Sending prayers to all of your friends and family impacted.

Miranda

Saturday 30th of April 2011

Thank you, Jana. From the bottom of my heart.

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