A reminder that you're not a f*cking Republican, Democrat, or Independent

You're a human being, and you can help

I may still be feeling funky, but I have a house that rose out of the ashes, so I felt that I could at least do this (it's copied from my Substack).

It shouldn’t take a horrible event to remind any of us that we’re not a label, and that thousands of people, in addition to the millions who need help around the world on any given day, are in the midst of their most traumatic life event.

My wife and I, and countless friends and neighbors, have been through it, so I have some cred.

First, the important info: The American Red Cross is there now (shelters are already opened) and will increase its presence in many ways, as will many other organizations. If you are of the opinion, mostly informed by old info/stats on the ‘Net about the organization, yeah, it’s had some funky moments but at the ground level, at the community level, the volunteers who operate the shelters come from the ranks of ‘us.’ There will be experienced specialist volunteers flown in to feed and shelter survivors, and yes, the organization will be asking for money. It’s okay, give it to them (again, I’ve got cred; I’ve volunteered with, worked with, and been assisted by the ARC)

State, county, neighborhood, churches and nonprofits will also come in when they can, and they’ll also ask for money. Give it to them if you can. 

I’ve just seen a video clip of a guy who has brought his food truck to a location to start giving out sandwiches. Bless him. If you can do that, great. If you can’t, you can find something to do that will help, I assure you.

Fire survivors need places to stay, something to eat and drink, and money. Yes they’ll need clothes, but give them the money to do that, don’t shower them with clothes yet, shower them with compassion even if you can’t be there for them. It’s still happening for them and the trauma of all this that is now seared onto their hearts and souls is still sizzling. Find YOUR way to help, do the research, ask around, take some time and put some effort into it. If you have family, friends, or acquaintances impacted by the fires, gift cards and cash cards (when there’s a way to ensure they receive them) are a wondrous help.

DON’T — Yes, wood and bricks and steel and cloth and paper and glass and rubber and plastic is just stuff, and yeah, of course, people and animals above all else because none of that stuff is worth dying or being maimed for, BUT DON’T THINK SAYING “IT’S JUST STUFF” TO A SURVIVOR WILL HELP, because you still have your stuff, and you can’t comprehend the magnitude of emotional trauma that occurs when everything you had, literally everything except the clothes you have on, is gone.

I’m trying to convey a mindset, a perspective about what’s happening and has happened to thousands of people. I’m not trying to admonish, I’m trying to drive home how crazy what’s happening is — community destruction on a historic scale — and that lives are at the core of that destruction, and that there is something WE can do.

The recovery is long and arduous, and this damn event isn’t even over yet, but we can start supporting and building that recovery now, we don’t have to wait.

I titled this post a little harshly, I know, so I’ll close it with something the food truck guy said when he was asked why he was doing it, and his answer is better than my title: “Because we are us.”

Yes we are.

Be safe, be compassionate, be appreciative. Thanks.

MWH