Building Friendships Out of Snow

Photo of the recent massive snowfall in the DC area.

Last weeks snow storm added to the already-rocky new year. Photo by Luke Eshelman.

Whether it has been events unfolding in the media or personal events in my life, it has been a distressing year so far. I am usually an upbeat person and usually like cold weather and the snow, but enough already! 

Earthquakes in Haiti, record rainfalls in California causing mudslides, an unusual weather pattern causing record temperatures in Vancouver and Greenland while those living on the east coast get pummeled with record snowfalls. Maybe there is something to the scientist who’s been railing about global warming. 

 I lived in New Jersey and New York for a period of time, and found the hysteria, chaos, and hype about this snowstorm pretty amusing. The stuck cars snowed in side streets and the panic at the supermarkets where people were acting like the end of the world is coming were a puzzle to me. In my mind, I was thinking “don’t ever go to Canada or Colorado.” 

But I learned something from all these events. Through a catastrophe comes unity and togetherness–people bond when they go through events such as these. It is inspirational to see people put their jobs and lives on hold in order to rescue the Haitians, risk their lives to pull people out of the rubble and hand out food and water while mobs become restless from starvation. It is also moving to see whole neighborhoods working together to shovel out streets and sidewalks so no one gets stranded and businesses putting people in rooms so they could get services. Although I disagree with the mayor on many things, I have to congratulate him, the fire department, and everyone else who worked around the clock to fight Mother Nature’s wrath. 

Speaking for myself, this storm had me on the ropes financially. If I hadn’t been saving my money, I might not have been able to pay rent or buy groceries. I can only feel for businesses struggling to keep employees and getting hurt by the snow. Since I moved into my own place, I haven’t been to the Street Sense office or to the shelters or other homeless services. So, I can only imagine how D.C. Central Kitchen and other services were able to help the homeless with vital resources. 

I am also dealing with sick family members, which puts a strain on my personal life. But, through it all, I am finding gratitude. I am getting closer to my relatives. I have found support, which I haven’t had in a long time, and have seen people be genuinely concerned about my mental and spiritual health.  

If this is the first act of 2010, I don’t know what the next act will be. I do know that, even though the storm is heavy, this will pass and a new pasture will grow. 


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