by Ingram Philips
I opened my Galaxy today, reading about the horrific fog-related vehicle pile-up on I-10 out of Houston. What a shock after all the Thanksgiving food and fun. Probably, many of the folks had celebrated a delightful holiday only to meet disaster on the highway.
According to a law officer on the scene, “It was catastrophic…cars piled up on top of cars!”
Ever been in truly dense fog, blinding rain, thick smoke or a sand-mud storm? “Frightening” is too mild a word. “Near-panic” sum up some of my encounters in those situations. I hunker down, grasp the steering wheel, focus more intently and pray with all my strength.
Many of our readers know the thoughts and feelings that go along with the forecast of a strong Arctic cold front and warm weather approaching from the Gulf. In fact, as I drive through our Pope and Van Buren counties, I still see scars on the land from previous storms. What I do not see but can imagine are the scars on individual households and in the hearts of the residents in the path of tornadic winds, severe floods, fires and other forms of disaster.
Jefferson County Texas deputy, Rod Carroll, however, reminds us of the good that can come out of chaos. Deputy Carroll worked the I-10 140-150 vehicle crash scene. His experienced eyes saw “catastrophe”, experienced the results of mass and metal on the soft flesh of children and adults alike yet he left us this reminder of who we are and what we can be: “The foremost thing this holiday season”, said Deputy Carroll, “Was travelers helping us when we were overwhelmed. It’s just people helping people.” “People helping people”, the key to community spirit. We appreciate our professionals-the law officers, fire and rescue folks, the emergency managers-still, the bottom line is that there are times we all need each other and can be of unpaid, unrewarded support. We are pretty good at that in our “weather” corridor. The people on the foggy Texas highway reminded us again today. What a blessing during this holiday season!
Ingram Philips writes Commonsense Commentary© from his home. He is a retired Army chaplain and three-term Arkansas constable. Ingram keeps a small travel trailer at Dover and travels the Pope and Van Buren County roads looking for commentary and feature articles. His home is in Van Buren County. Printed by permission.