I’ve been a wreck today. Not going to lie. I feel like I had my heart ripped out of my chest and shoved back down my throat. That’s the only way I know how to describe it. We had a free day today, so we spent the morning flying over and dropping off some donated supplies to folks in tents and campers in NC. Making sure those that have been affected are stocked up prior to the frigid temperatures and heavy snows coming in. Sometimes it’s hard not to feel intrusive walking into someone’s space that has lost everything and what little they still are holding onto is their private spaces..Today I walked up to a familiar face that I’ve seen at a drop off picking up supplies several times since the storm. While seeing him there in the past I had spoken to him and ask how he was etc, but , I’ve never asked his story. It’s none of my business. And to be honest it's so unfair to have some of these people relive and retell their stories over and over again, some it helps , some it pushes even farther into hopelessness and that was the last thing I would want to cause anyone,Many people that come through and pick up dropped off supplies just have a look in their eyes, and they can tell you their story without saying a word.The looks that reach down in you soul and just shake you awake, But this man has always had a smile no sad look in his eyes just a look of thankfulness for being here . Today I was exactly where I was supposed to be. And that just happened to be on his property by the river. He opened up on his own to me, told us his story, to he told us about the wicked day of September 27th. He showed us around his land. He took us into his once beautiful home that they worked so hard to make their own that is unlivable and will be for quite sometime,. He showed us his camper that was donated to him that he and his family of 4 are living in. He introduced us to his wife and daughters. He told us about his baby that was on the way, but didn’t have a heartbeat anymore a couple weeks after the storm. He introduced me to his dog “River”. Believe it or not, he’s only a few months old and probably 75 pounds already,, Finally, before we left, he took us to the far end of his property to a storage shed that made it through the storm. The only time this man cried is when he started telling us about his wife’s Christmas ornament business and how they’ve worked so hard on it over the years. Tears were streaming down his face as he was telling us , he how they've missed the busy season, and won’t be able to sell ornaments this year. I firmly believe there are times in life that we are placed exactly where we’re supposed to be. Today was that day for us, Because of donations to a group there in NC , and with an agencies help they were able to get on Amazon and buy them every single shipping supply that they need to get their business back up and running before Christmas. The guys sending a crew over there this week to turn their storage shed into a temporary packaging center. Complete with a Starlink. Hopefully by December 10th, I’ll be able to introduce you to this family, and everyone of you are going to be able to purchase the prettiest dang Christmas ornaments you’ve ever bought. It’s never too late. Keep on fighting.By talking to them the second time today, I learned that they are perfectionist. They were very hesitant to let anyone get them set back up. They lost 80% of their inventory and were worried that they wouldn’t be able to get out orders before Christmas and didn’t want to upset anyone. we all tried to tell them and make them understand that nobody is going to give a shit if their ornament doesn’t arrive until Christmas 2025.,People just wanted to see them get their business back up and running,,donations can do so so much for these families , housing , clothing a way to stay warm and even a way to put some hope for the future in their hearts and some Christmas spirit to get then thru the holidays, I've always said you never meet anyone by accident , they are put in your path for a reason and today was just one of those days for us,, Sometimes all people need is Hope and Faith that things will be better tomorrow , and something we could all enforce in our lives :)
