Nine hundred cars were towed off Lakeshore drive in Chicago yesterday. Could you imagine, sitting in your car for twelve hours? Then, finally giving up and trekking through the snow for miles during the worst blizzard Chicago had seen in over thirty years.
My heart goes out to those poor souls. Mother Nature can be cruel at times and I am sure you all know. I must share with all of you the plight of one of my commenters from yesterday's post. A courageous soul who weathered the storm and made it though.
Joicy013 said...
"wow that storm was something! yes there was lighting that looked like fire during the storm. the winds were bad! I was out in the road picking up my sister who was stranded at work and let me tell you something. i could see nothing. windshield ended up falling apart with the ice and wind, about 2 cars on every block left stranded. took us about 2hours to get home, which would usually take 15min. woke up this morning to have snow up to ny waist in some areas of the yard."
I find acts of love/kindness to be truly amazing. With our hearts filled with love for the month of February, I'd like to ask all of you, "What act of kindness/ love has been bestowed on you? Tell me about the wonderful person that came to your aid in a time of crisis. I really want to know.
We are all blessed with angels in our lives. Not the heavenly bound creatures, but the ones bound to earth. Let me hear your story.
To all me friends in the frozen midwest, north, and in Canada, keep warm and stay safe. We still have a way to go before the spring thaw.
25 comments:
Wow! look at that pile up! I hope you're staying safe. I haven't been in any crisis this month ... Hmm ... fingers crossed I won't be! ;o)
Saw that on the news last night. What's wild is the other side is completely clear.
It was an act of kindness when my wife married me - does that count?
I have been helped out so many times. In particular, my flatmate last year who carried my living expenses for me when I couldn't afford it (it's a looooong story).
I never asked, but she insisted.
:-)
Wow. Unbelievable. THe human spirit is an amazing thing. We are capable of so many wonderful acts of kindness and generosity when we want to be. I have to chime in with Alex here and say mu husband is truly the most giving soul I know. He sees past my flaws and mistakes time an again ... out of nothing more than love.
Hope you're staying safe and warm. *sending you virtual hot cocoa and veggie soup*
Most recently... My car was.is breaking down and I needed a new more reliable one to get my son from home to school so that his dad wouldn't fight me for full custody (again). My mechanic worked to find me one (for free) a great little Honda Civic but the price was more than I could afford. I'd resigned myself to moving on. The mechanic called and had another car he was willing to fix just for me, cheap enough, etc. (wow!)... anyway, a coworker pulled me aside and offered to lend me the extra money so that I could get the car! I now have a lovely red car that is 9 years newer than my old car and I love, love, love it!!
Sorry to hear about your ugly weather. We've had a wicked arctic blast but missed the snow, thankfully! Stay warm and plenty of hot chocolate!!!
I hope you are staying warm and safe. We've had some nasty weather here, but not like you're having.
My manly man is a recent angel for me- he stays up with me at night and carries me where I need to go when I'm in a lot of pain.
There are heroes of the spirit all around us. The neighbor yesterday who fixed my burst water pipes in the freezing cold because no plumber could be found available. The policemen who trudge in waist high snow to help motorists. Fellow blood courier who drive dangerous roads to deliver rare blood to ill patients. Emergency Medical personnel who drive to wrecks on roads none should be on.
Have a safe, warm day up there, Roland
WOW!!! That is nuts!! Glad you're safe and staying out of trouble in it! Hopefully we will thaw out this weekend!
That picture is scary! I can't believe it. What a wonderful comment too. :) I think the person that has helped me the most lately is my friend who listens to me, tells me that I'm doing a good job as a mom when I think I'm not, and just generally picks me up when I'm feeling low. Sometimes that's what you really need. Just help making it through every day life. I hope you're safe from all that snow and that you stay that way.
INcredible. That's just something... I had a near-experience like that once out in the corn fields north of Indy in the snow. I was so scared. And pregnant. But I/we made it out, no worries! :D
stay warm~ xoxo
What a great story, Michael. Thanks for sharing it! And I hope you're staying warm and safe. It's been super cold in UT, but blue skies all around and no snow at all. (hope I didn't just jinx it...) I'm amazed by people's random acts of kindness. I wish I could give you something specific. Lovely post, though!
The photo looks like something from an apocalyptic movie. That would have been a real mess to contend with.
There have been so many wonderful people who have come to my aid in my life. Angels are everywhere.
Thank you for putting the A to Z badge in your sidebar. I'll give you a mention in my next thank you post.
Lee
Tossing It Out and the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2011
It's stunning to see what people are going through during these horrible storms. The stories of kindness that come out of them are truly inspiring though! Thank you for reminding us of that spark within the darkness.
That's a wonderful story. Thank you for posting it!
Stay safe and warm!
Not sure if all these world wide epic storms are part of the global warming process (probably are) and that this is not a precursor of worse to come, but I haven't been in such a bad storm in quite some time, I have to admit. People do live up to your best expectations and hopes sometimes - often! Too bad about the few bad apples in our species messing things up for everyone else. Keep warm and safe everyone!
wowza! a man helped me after my car spun and landed in a ditch once. scary!!! stay warm and safe! way to hit 100 comments on our blog, michael! you're the bestest fan we've got! and you should know this is the ONLY blog i'm visiting this week!!!! off to write....christy
Our hearts go out to them as well. These are the times when we need to come together and support each other. It's no surprise that you are at the heart of that support Michael!
What a great post, Michael! I love when I hear about people helping other people like that. Hope you are safe and warm in the aftermath of that storm.
That's an amazing photo! Hmmm, most recently, all of you guys expressing concern and encouragement on my blog, and my boss telling me to stay home an extra day. My husband puts up with me daily-he deserves a medal=P Stay warm and safe!
Hi Michael! Thanks for the inspiring post. As a mother, I make it a point to encourage my kids to do a kind act of service at school. It is my goal to act upon generous thoughts when I receive them.
Simple things warm my soul. I've had someone send me a text telling me that she's just thinking of me and hopes I'm doing well. Things like that bring tears to my eyes.
Thanks for following my blog and for your spirit of sharing the contest! :)
♥.•*¨ Elizabeth ¨*•.♥
This is such a great post, Michael. It made me feel good reading it - well except for that photograph - holy moly, what a mess.
I recently moved to a new house and ended up locking myself out. I'd just got out of the shower, my hair was wet and it was freezing. Not Chicago freezing but low 30s. The neighborhood was deserted. I was pretty sure I was going to freeze to death before Mr. VR got home in six hours, plus the pets were in the house. Finally a car pulled in the driveway down the street. I ran, wet hair flying and in stocking feet (I hadn't intended to go beyond the garage). Terry, who I'd never met, not only let me use her cell, she invited me into her house, fed me lunch and chatted with me until I was rescued almost an hour later. This was how she spent her lunch hour. Pretty awesome.
Please stay warm and safe!
Award for you today - although I see you already have it. Crap.
I love to see the heroics something like a storm will bring out in people. Somehow when the weather gangs up on us, we band together instead of the 'every man for himself' thing we so often see driving...
Amazing picture! I can't believe it. And what a wonderful story. Here's an act of kindness for you -- a really nice guy threw some 80s junk in a box to indulge a silly blogger. ;) Finally got that post up. Off to Notting Hill today...
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