Beryl reminds us of the good In people

Stories, as we know, can find themselves romanticized over time, burnishing off the prickly truths of reality. But this week, I saw first-hand how people along the coast roll up their sleeves — and pant legs — and wade into caring for each other.

Beryl is my first hurricane since arriving more than a decade ago. Yes, I missed Ike, which was, from all accounts, a more damaging storm. But Beryl was — and will always be — a significant hurricane in local history.

But, like Ike and the storms before, people rose.

I know of someone stopping by a retirement home with an armload of frozen treats to hand out to residents sitting in the open air trying to cool down.

“Who are you?” they asked.

“I’m no one, just someone trying to help,” came the reply.

In moments like this, no ones become someones.

I’ve seen people, many with electricity restored, out in the heat of the day passing out cases of water or food. Others are knocking on doors and checking on neighbors.

There is a lot to complain about this week, but the truth is, there is a lot to feel renewed about as human beings. We did not break. Instead, we found ways to put ourselves second — or maybe fourth — and help one another.

There isn’t enough ink and paper to tell all the good stories occurring in our communities from League City to Galveston, Kemah to Santa Fe, La Marque to Texas City. We are truly blessed to live among people who will step forward to help another in times of need.

Here, however, is our challenge. We need to put this lightning in a bottle and use it a bit each day going forward. Often, we begin to let the noise of the world encourage us to look and react to each other based on opinions, how we look and how we choose to live. If Beryl did anything, it reminded us that it is rather petty. This week, we reappreciated the value of a cold fridge and fresh water and knew our friends and family were safe. We also found ourselves searching — and doing — good for others. Suddenly, we are all swimming in the same bucket of conditions.

Let’s not let that go. We need to remember the feelings we rediscovered this week. As the lights come back up and the AC begins cooling our home again, let’s commit to a higher level of service to others.

With Beryl’s wake still in our minds, let’s commit to channeling this fresh energy to help others into the future. If we do, Beryl will feel like the Grinch who tried to steal Christmas.