Blog #182~Hurricane Harvey and the Texas Way
As a native Texan, I grew up just a few blocks from Galveston Bay. This was our playground growing up.
Seabrook watching the boats come in, with my siblings in the early 70’s…..
I’ve ridden out my share of hurricanes and tropical storms over the years. Hurricane Harvey has pounded the Texas Gulf Coast. It continues to churn, with record rainfall that is causing catastrophic flooding. I’ve been thinking a lot about my fellow Texans, and dealing with such disasters. Much of what has giving me strength over the years of raising my son Nick, who is 23 years old, and has Down syndrome and autism, comes from the mentality of the “Texas way”.
The author, John Steinbeck wrote in part, that “Texas is a state of mind”:
“For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America.”
Texans are incredibly proud of where they come from. The people are friendly to one another, and will go out of their way, to help each other out.
I recall riding out Hurricane Alicia in our home, back in 1983. The category 3 hurricane hit hard with winds up to 115 mph, during a long, pitch black night. The next day, we crawled out from under the mattress propped up in the narrow hallway. We found tree limbs and debris covering the yard and had no electricity. Our neighbors banded together, bringing their chain saws to clear the rubbish. We pulled up lawn chairs, and portable gas stoves, to cook up the food that was quickly thawing in the deep freezer. We stood in long lines together, as comrades waiting to get ice bags, sharing stories together. For two weeks, with the power lines down. There was no electricity in the humid and unbearable August heat. What I remember the most about this time, was the sense of camaraderie. Everyone was pitching in, lending a hand, and working together.
Hurricane Alicia, 1983……
Watching the news over the weekend, I again, was witness to this sense of community and teamwork. The riveting images of civilian Samaritans bringing their boats, rafts, kayaks and canoes in to help with rescue efforts. Volunteers coming in with high-profile pickups, and dumpster trucks being used to save other human beings.
Rescue efforts after Hurricane Harvey…….
I love this message from George and Barbara Bush, to their fellow Houstonians and Texans affected by Harvey, expresses the spirit of Texans:
“We are praying for of our fellow Houstonians and Texans affected by Harvey, and truly inspired by the flotilla of volunteers–points of light all–who are answering the call to help their neighbors. We salute them, the first responders and local elected officials for their grit and determination in the face of this extraordinary storm. This we know: Houston and Texas, will come together and rebuild.”
That’s exactly what it is–coming together, and helping each other, and never backing down. That’s the Texas way. When you are down, you’re not out. That’s when you pick yourself up by the bootstraps, brush off the dust and push through.
This road of raising my son with Down syndrome and autism has not always been an easy one. The hurdles have been tough. Reaching milestones, the long process of toilet training and the intense meltdowns during puberty took their toll. I wouldn’t have survived, without reaching out for help. I found a community of parents who had children with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism. This community saved me. I know that my strong roots as a Texan, has kept me upright, in the process. That grit and determination, has helped to push me through some of the roughest times.
The power of human spirit coming together can help to overcome the worst of adversities. Jumping in and helping each other out, with a warm smile, IS the TEXAS WAY. Texas will be drenched and soggy for a while, but they will never give up. Texans will pull together, become cohesive, and they will survive!
Please continue to pray, as the water continues to rise up the driveways, and into the homes, of my family and friends in Texas. I know that they will come together, with resiliency, and get through this catastrophic event.
Here is a link if you would like to help and share on social media: The Houston Flood Relief Fund@ https://www.youcaring.com/victimsofhurricaneharvey-915053
That’s what is in my noggin this week.
~Teresa
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Down Syndrome with a Slice of Autism 