Crisis Brings People Together

I have always thrived when I felt a sense of belonging to a community. But, sometimes, we don’t realize the power of community until something happens that bounds us together.

Due to severe winds and storms in California, we lost power for several hours. As a result, the traffic lights were out, and fallen trees were on the streets. We lost power at home for most of the day. For many, there is still no power at home.

With no wifi and power at home, people have left their homes and flocked to public places. The cafes were full, and libraries were a vision to watch.

When I got to the library, I couldn’t find parking for several blocks. The tables were filled with people, with more seated on the floor.

People were charging their devices and using the wifi to get work done. Security guards were walking around to help people find a spot to sit. Somehow, the lack of facilities at home brought everyone out of their shells and came together as a community.

With schools closed, the parent community came together and offered each other help by lending refrigerators, charging outlets, and more.

When life is in motion, we don’t realize the support we have from one another until there is a crisis. Today, I am grateful to be surrounded by communities that have each other’s backs.