After the Flood

Growing up, her family was a swim team family like mine. She had the fastest relay start off the blocks. At the shore, my family spent more time in the water or reading books while her family coalesced on the beach volleyball courts. In high school she made the varsity volleyball team. One summer afternoon at the pool’s sand court I remember her teaching me how to jump serve. Toss, jump, whack. She made it look easy.

She’s somewhere in Texas now. Many of you have probably heard the reports coming out of southeastern Texas after Hurricane Harvey’s landfall. Rainfall and storm surges drowned the city of Houston and so many surrounding communities. My heart hurts to think about all the upended lives, all the destroyed homes. I’ve been wondering about all the people affected even though I have no close ties to the region.

Well OK fine, one of my favorite researcher/storytellers, Brene Brown, lives there but it’s not like we talk. This week she posted photos on Instagram and offered ways people can help flood victims. Lacking a personal connection to the city, I planned to follow her advice as I looked for ways to support those devastated by Harvey.

Yesterday I noticed my childhood friend put up a photo on Instagram and mentioned the sun finally shining in Houston. It startled me like a spike to the face at the net. How did I miss that she lived in Houston? I guess I thought she was in Dallas or in the western part of the state where I’ve seen her post beautiful naturescapes. I admit my knowledge of Texas geography isn’t great.

Instagram was the only way to contact her so I sent her a message asking if she was safe. She’s fortunate to only be dealing with a leaking ceiling in central Houston. After we texted a bit more, I asked her if there were local organizations that she as a Houstonian would recommend supporting.

I’m sharing her words today in case you would like to support them, too. Please pass it along to anyone who wants to help.

“I recommend these two funds. The first is by a local Football player J. J. Watt that is known for giving back to the local community and he is hoping to raise $5 million dollars that is all going back to those in need. Here is some information about it.

Another organization I donate to that I cannot recommend enough is this great charity South Side Street Dogs that takes in dogs from the toughest and roughest areas in the city. Heartbreakingly, people abandoned animals during the hurricane and they rescued as many as they could. They also have a Amazon wish list at the bottom of the page if you want to purchase items instead of give money. It’s a small organization and all money goes to these loving animals.”

There is no scarcity of good options. Besides the two my friend highlighted there’s the universal option, the American Red Cross and other regional ones like:

Texas Diaper Bank.

Houston Food Bank.

Texas Library Association Disaster Relief Fund.

After loss it can feel like you’re alone. When people come together, that feeling recedes like the diminishing flood waters. Have you experienced a hurricane? How have you helped others to recover from losses? Is there an organization you always support or an activity that you do regularly? Tell me about it.

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