The amazing power of compassion
Compassion: "A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering."
I have always known the definition of that word without even having to look it up, but I had never really given it a lot of thought until a devastating hurricane wreaked havoc on our region a few weeks ago.
The destruction left in the storms' wake is heart-breaking, but the resilience of those affected and the compassion of those who are helping them put the pieces of their lives back together are tremendously uplifting.
Folks have traveled from points far and near to help pick up debris, cut down and remove fallen and mangled trees, and distribute food, water and other necessities for everyday life.
Other kind and generous souls are helping replace missing bridges, roadways and even entire homes that were either washed away in the flood or damaged beyond repair.
When we see disasters such as this play out on the TV news, we typically have feelings of deep sympathy for the victims while at the same time sheepishly feeling a sense of relief that it happened to someone else instead of us.
But truth be told, one day it just might be us who find ourselves sifting through the battered remains of our homes and businesses trying to salvage precious family photos, priceless keepsakes and business-related records and items that can never be replaced.
Watching all of the amazing volunteers from many of our sister states work side by side with our friends and neighbors as they try to recover from what is quite possibly the darkest period of their lives gives me renewed faith in the goodness of our fellow humans.
Simply put, the power of compassion will always endure.
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