Today, two of us head to the Salvation Army, everyone else to the field.
The day is defined by “hurry up and wait.” Told to be at the central site at 7:30, it’s a full ninety minutes before heading out. Taken to a home that abuts some dense woods, removing debris in the sun and 95 degree heat, feeling like something is crawling all over us. Wait! Something is crawling all over us! John lifts his shirt to cool off and discovers a new mole. No, make that a tick. Soon everyone is brushing them off and, unfortunately, pulling them off. Eric holds the record with 8 of them. It’s time to leave the woods.
Waiting more than an hour today for lunch and even later for the shuttle back, we decide to abandon the organized clean up and strike out on our own. I call Cathy, the distributor of the funds we sent last week, and she sends us a name. Charlie and his wife need help repairing a porch, removing debris. We head that way and they do indeed need our help. We spend the rest of the afternoon getting a good start on their yard. Their daughter, Kate, tells us her story. She and her mother heard the alarms, thought the storm had passed, and – in the yard – heard a freight train. “That’s what everyone tells you, she says, “and it is really true.” They each grabbed a dog and headed for the basement. She said she could hear breaking glass and the wind tugging at the back of her shirt. “We were sure this was it. We’re the lucky ones.” Their house is still standing.
The porch is not reparable; we’ll return tomorrow to remove it safely. They are most concerned with the fence that is down; their dogs need room to run. We leave at 4, with a promise to return in the morning.
Meanwhile, at the Salvation Army, Brittany is on day 2 and has become so proficient she is put in charge of the personal item distribution section. Lots of people coming and going, but she is steady and takes care to give the homeless what they need.
Back at the farm, joined by older sister Anne, we have a picnic with our host families. One of them, Jannette, cannot resist and brings two pans of lasagna. Anne finishes off dinner with homemade brownie sundaes. The community has welcomed us, and there is much laughter amid the conversation.
We make the rounds safely. By now Jeremy has learned the “city route” well and the “farm group” no longer gasp as I hurtle down the gravel roads. I am not a good driver, but I make up for it with excessive speed. Everyone will make one more check for ticks, wipe down with bleach to avoid chigger bites, and sleep deeply in the quiet. Stay tuned.
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