Resiliency during the darkest hour

Sunlight peers in through the trees at Dry Falls, North Carolina

Oct. 6, 2024--There are quite a few words I’ve used to describe the people in North Carolina. If you know me, you know I have a special tie to the state and mostly it’s because of the people. Ok, well, the mountains are another reason. I’ve always said they are among the friendliest, nicest, compassionate people I’ve ever met and I love my time there.

But right now, if I had to describe the people in North Carolina using just one word, it would be resilient.

The dictionary defines resilience as being able to withstand and recover from difficult conditions. The thesaurus uses words like strong, hardy, spirited, capable, tenacious, valiant, enduring, and unwavering. These words truly cut to the core of the people in the Tar Heel state.

What thousands of North Carolinians have witnessed and endured with the devastation throughout the state--as well as neighboring states like Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and Virginia, is beyond comprehension. Some of these towns have been left in ruins. The pain and the overwhelming distress along with the heartbreak and grief of the loss of loved ones, property, and possessions, take their despair to a whole new level. To say it's overwhelming is a gross understatement.

But amid what can only be described as the absolute darkest hour—is a ray of light shining through because of the people and organizations that have come to the aid of those shattered by Hurricane Helene. And with that, it's vital to remember a song Emmylou Harris recorded in 1980--the darkest hour is just before dawn.

Individuals from all over the state, as well as from around the country, have made the trip to the affected areas—volunteers and some as part of their job, like first responders, to assist with search and rescue, and others who felt it in their hearts to bring food, water, clothing and more to those who are without. Some drove in; some hiked in, while still others flew small planes into the area to deliver supplies.

The vast majority were not paid to do what they are doing. Their compensation was the look on the face of someone they rescued and being the recipient of the hardiest of hugs.  For others, it was rewarding enough just to know a family was going to get a good meal, some clean clothes or their pet was going to eat, too, thanks to your donation.

At a time when hearts are heavy from the unimaginable loss, there is hope hearts are lightened by friends, family and all the complete strangers offering prayers and stepping up to provide desperately needed supplies, words of encouragement, and much-needed hugs.

The town we spend our winters in was spared from damage, but the residents from there and neighboring communities collaborated with churches, organizations and county, state and national agencies and offices to collect items. Others took it upon themselves to fill their vehicles with everything from food and water to baby formula, diapers, and pet food—and then made the trip to deliver the items. Their reason? They just couldn’t sit back and do nothing. And so many have made monetary contributions.

A big-box store provided showers and laundry facilities, and celebrities donated upwards of several million dollars to help provide whatever is necessary. One well known country artist who hails from North Carolina recorded a song—he calls it The Darkest Hour--and turned over the rights to the people of North Carolina so royalties can be collected forever. A gift that will keep giving. Convoys of fully loaded trucks made their way in to make deliveries. Local restaurants brought food and people showed up to prepare meals for displaced residents as well as workers at the scene.

The pain and anguish are running deep from this catastrophic and life-altering devastation, and the after-effects will remain for some time to come, but seeing how people have come forward to do what they can, shows humanity at its finest. And the appreciation is running deep, too.

Southerners are known for so many wonderful traits as they are raised to be caring people and it's these traits that are guiding their actions right now.

I have a wooden plaque that reads: "There are no strangers in the South--only friends we haven't met." Truer words were never spoken and I just know those who came as strangers will leave as friends.

People from the South truly are resilient and at no time has that been more evident than now. Please keep them all in your prayers.

All everyone can do right now is....take it one day at a time.

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