A Pistol, $60 Cash, and a Diamond Ring

It’s hard to know where to start an update when my community is still knee-deep in mud, death, and destruction. But right alongside that, many of us are also heart-deep in compassion, resourcefulness, and perseverance. When Brad evacuated River and I four days after the storm, we had a loaded pistol, $60 cash, and my grandmother’s diamond ring (to trade? bribe?). Plus whatever bags I could pack in two hours. Someday I’ll tell the story of why those three things, and the context that preceded our evacuation. But for now – this drone video shows Burnsville, NC where I live. Watch this video on 2x speed and you will see what my home looks like now.

Following Helene and our evacuation, Brad promptly returned to Celo, NC to volunteer at area shelters, deliver supplies, and keep the neighborhood safe. We did not know when we would see him again or if he would be able to remain safe. Like everyone else, he still had no electricity, no landline, no cell service, and no internet. It was a very emotionally challenging few weeks, and pulling up to River’s new/temporary elementary school last Friday with the best surprise ever – Daddy waiting in the car – brought this all home.

Here’s a photo of their reunion, along with pictures of: two of the 6 (8?) trees that fell on our 2.87 acre lot; a Chinook helicopter landing at River’s elementary school to deliver supplies; River getting to video chat with his friend (who also evacuated) for the first time since the storm; and a very unflattering selfie of how I looked after we finally got to Mercy Me. I hadn’t really stopped in 12 days; not sure I really even looked at my own reflection. I see this photo as a time capsule of a moment following an exhausting, traumatic, lucky-to-be-alive, life-altering experience.

And while I, and so many others, have our brains and hearts held hostage in the mountains, life still goes on. I believe that one thing we need to know how to do–if we want to lean toward a less violent and more expansive sense of humanity–is to learn how to live our lives while holding two seemingly contradictory truths. It can be true that people have been buried alive not far from my writing desk, while at the same time, many, many cycles of goodness are moving forward in this world.

While I will continue to write updates in the aftermath of Helene, I also have the duty (and the honor) of continuing to provide you with meaningful, uplifting content pertinent to your writing lives. So in the spirit of continuing to honor our creative lives, here are this month’s provocations:

  • When in your life have you held two seemingly opposing truths? What were they, and did the tension of that holding ever give way to insight? If so, tell me more.
  • Do you believe that paying witness to something you are not personally experiencing can lead to behavioral or social change? Why or why not? If this is something you have experienced, what were the conditions that made change possible for you, on a personal level?

Comment below and share your thoughts with me, and I’ll be sure to write you back.

Thank you all for reading, and for your continued care and support. I am organizing my thoughts around the best way to respond to everyone’s offers to help. At this stage of the crisis, I’m more interested in social change, than in dollar donations. It’s a huge topic, and I appreciate your patience as I work to clarify my thoughts.

 

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