A guest post by Todd Weir: "I grew up knowing to watch the sky and discern its changes. I was 12 years old, waiting for a ride home from baseball practice when clouds circled around me, no longer going west to east." Guest author, Todd Weir
I love that thought/question who are these people with staple guns, plastic, pies and casseroles ready in a moments notice. That’s the kind of community. I want to be a part of.
Incredible story, and so vividly written. I’m amazed at the details like the teacup collection in the corner. And that everyone spontaneously came together to help out.
I was too, Julie . Especially that teacup detail and the image of the young boy standing in the yard watching the twister coming. Great writing, Todd. Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Julie !
This was such a beautiful story! I was a Christian puppeteer (long story) who's had many ups and downs with churches through the years. This story is a great, hopeful reminder of what these communities can be. Thanks Todd and Holly.
Right?! I appreciate having the reminder too. Thanks ever so much for reading, Katherine.
And wait? A Christian puppeteer? Like you put on Bible shows? Seems like there must be stor-ies plural there! I love learning these sorts of details about people. :)
Holly's Ask and Give column inspired to revisit this experience. Its fascinating to see how writing about a story 40 years later reveals new insight on how the event shaped me over time.
Thank you, both! I have long maintained, and occasionally written, that for all our divisions and disagreements, were we to find ourselves the survivors of some kind of disaster and able to offer help, we would not first ask about our neighbor's political persuasions, religious beliefs, or sexual orientations. We would (I believe) dig in! Todd's concluding words: "...when people ask why disasters happen or where God is in this, we would already be getting the plastic on the windows and warming casseroles." I can't nod hard enough in agreement.
I wonder how we get people to solve problems together rather than fight ideological battles. We don't have to wait for a disaster to make things better!
I've been exploring that question in my own ways for some time, Todd, and haven't yet hit on specific solutions. But I do believe micro-efforts put forth by enough people can make a difference. So, you keep writing, and I keep writing, and you keep talking, and I keep talking, and we both keep listening, listening, listening -- and even though that doesn't seem like enough, maybe the sum is greater than the parts. I hope so anyway.
One of the reasons I started writing Cultivating Soul is because it is never enough. Accepting that I am not enough is the key to creativity! Apple trees grow apples without trying to feed the whole world, bees make honey, flowers bloom and attract the bees, and so it goes. What we do is write! We try to live with kindness, help who we can, and we write and try to encourage everyone to find their way. Be fruitful somehow.
I agree. I think how we show up in times of difficulty is everything that matters about who we are. And most of us will show up for each other and such times, especially in the magnitude of disaster. :)
So, as you know, Holly, I do have a story for the Ask and Give column (please excuse me for getting the name of the column wrong in my email to you). Anyways, this story reminded me of one of the reasons that the community that I wrote about in my Ask and Give article is so tight. There was a tornado. I think this tornado was one of the reasons (besides the tradition of the neighborhood) that the community became tighter, closer. Everyone jumped in to help. People who had looked scornfully at recent arrivals saw their humanity. People had shared experiences no matter who they were.
I am very excited to feature your terrific story, my friend—and for people to get to read more about your travels and discoveries and Nomading!
I was talking to a friend about a personal crisis she was dealing with and how the way we show up in times of difficulty is everything that matters about who we are. I think that, too, is why we knit ourselves together in those times.
I love that thought/question who are these people with staple guns, plastic, pies and casseroles ready in a moments notice. That’s the kind of community. I want to be a part of.
Showing up, not just thoughts and prayers!
Knowing the way you show up for others, I can attest you are living the community you want to be!! ♥️🥧
Incredible story, and so vividly written. I’m amazed at the details like the teacup collection in the corner. And that everyone spontaneously came together to help out.
I was too, Julie . Especially that teacup detail and the image of the young boy standing in the yard watching the twister coming. Great writing, Todd. Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Julie !
What a moving story by Todd Weir. Holly, your Ask and Give project is such a lovely and generous idea.
Thank you, thank you, Tina. Yes, I love Todd’s story. And I so appreciate you reading and commenting.
This was such a beautiful story! I was a Christian puppeteer (long story) who's had many ups and downs with churches through the years. This story is a great, hopeful reminder of what these communities can be. Thanks Todd and Holly.
I may have bumped into you while on the Christian mime circuit! Yes, been through my ups and downs with church too. But live for the breakthroughs.
Did you ever go to I-FEST in Illinois?
Never made it, and I escaped to the East Coast for seminary. And now I'm in Maine. Love your blog title. I get along well with people called heretics.
Right?! I appreciate having the reminder too. Thanks ever so much for reading, Katherine.
And wait? A Christian puppeteer? Like you put on Bible shows? Seems like there must be stor-ies plural there! I love learning these sorts of details about people. :)
Wonderful story, Holly. You write so well, the terror and the love were very real. thank you also for introducing me to Todd Weir.
Yes, Todd did write this quite well. I’m happy to introduce him. Thank you very much for reading and commenting, Leslie.
Holly's Ask and Give column inspired to revisit this experience. Its fascinating to see how writing about a story 40 years later reveals new insight on how the event shaped me over time.
A heartwarming story about people banding together. Very uplifting. And also — beautifully written.
Right? I do love stories of people showing up for each other. Thank you, Michael. 😊
Thank you, both! I have long maintained, and occasionally written, that for all our divisions and disagreements, were we to find ourselves the survivors of some kind of disaster and able to offer help, we would not first ask about our neighbor's political persuasions, religious beliefs, or sexual orientations. We would (I believe) dig in! Todd's concluding words: "...when people ask why disasters happen or where God is in this, we would already be getting the plastic on the windows and warming casseroles." I can't nod hard enough in agreement.
I wonder how we get people to solve problems together rather than fight ideological battles. We don't have to wait for a disaster to make things better!
I've been exploring that question in my own ways for some time, Todd, and haven't yet hit on specific solutions. But I do believe micro-efforts put forth by enough people can make a difference. So, you keep writing, and I keep writing, and you keep talking, and I keep talking, and we both keep listening, listening, listening -- and even though that doesn't seem like enough, maybe the sum is greater than the parts. I hope so anyway.
One of the reasons I started writing Cultivating Soul is because it is never enough. Accepting that I am not enough is the key to creativity! Apple trees grow apples without trying to feed the whole world, bees make honey, flowers bloom and attract the bees, and so it goes. What we do is write! We try to live with kindness, help who we can, and we write and try to encourage everyone to find their way. Be fruitful somehow.
Good point!
I agree. I think how we show up in times of difficulty is everything that matters about who we are. And most of us will show up for each other and such times, especially in the magnitude of disaster. :)
A really gripping story.
Right?! Thank you for reading, Jeffrey. 😊
So, as you know, Holly, I do have a story for the Ask and Give column (please excuse me for getting the name of the column wrong in my email to you). Anyways, this story reminded me of one of the reasons that the community that I wrote about in my Ask and Give article is so tight. There was a tornado. I think this tornado was one of the reasons (besides the tradition of the neighborhood) that the community became tighter, closer. Everyone jumped in to help. People who had looked scornfully at recent arrivals saw their humanity. People had shared experiences no matter who they were.
And thank you Todd for this thoughtfully written piece.
Agreed! ♥️
I am very excited to feature your terrific story, my friend—and for people to get to read more about your travels and discoveries and Nomading!
I was talking to a friend about a personal crisis she was dealing with and how the way we show up in times of difficulty is everything that matters about who we are. I think that, too, is why we knit ourselves together in those times.
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