Whenever a disaster takes place I always wonder what I would do. Would the best in me rise up and help others? Or would my personal survival instincts kick in where I would look out for myself first? I know if my daughter was a young child, I would do whatever I had to to make sure she had the basics, from looting, hoarding etc. I just would.
If I was forced to leave my home what would I take? I would want my computer but it’s too heavy and I know ‘things’ can be replaced, someday. But I probably would grab my teeth, glasses and hearing aid, toiletries and hopefully I would be able to fit in a few rolls of toilet paper, then maybe some bottled water and then some food. I’ve always been more concerned about personal hygeine first.
I’ve lived without power for a few days due to snowstorms in New England and a hurricane in North Carolina. It was hard but more of an inconvenience than a necessity and I still had a working toilet. I’ve camped many times and enjoy roughing it-in a tent at least and I don’t mind using the great outdoors to relieve myself as long as I have some tissue. I’ve never been a big eater and would be happy with just bread and water. But what would I do if there wasn’t even ‘my basics’?
I’ve been known to whine when I am physically uncomfortable-wet,dirty,tired. I’ve been known to freak out if there was no coffee-and god forbid- no cigarettes, my only vices.
I don’t like crowds and find no comfort in a group of any kind. I would be on the fringe of any gathering at best or find some private space to wait ‘it’ out.
I am mostly attracted to the underdog for company as I find them more interesting than the ‘in-groups.’ I would share my bread and water. I’ve never had extra money so I don’t know if I could share some of that.
I do know I could share my hope, give an encouraging word or impart my positive philosophy-change is good in the long run, the golden rule etc.,. I know I could extend a helping hand-one on one. I could probably lead a group into a Walmart to get food etc. I could probably even lead a group to complain to those in powers and make them do something. I also have a wicked sense of humor and I know I would be laughing at some of this and could probably get others to see the humor in it. And then have a good cry.
I presently share my garden with my neighbors. I put free veggies out on a small table and sometimes watch behind a closed curtain to see who helps themselves to my garden’s generosity. My elderly neighbors stop and take one of each-a tomato, cucumber, pepper, summer squash, making sure that there is some for others. The younger parents send their kids to get something. And occassionally someone takes everything that’s there. Which lead me to the question ‘Do some of us think we are more worthy than others?’ There are takers and givers, but in a disaster that role often changes.
Some of the things I would do are engrained in me. But I have never been in such a dire circumstance as those in New Orleans so I conclude that I really do not know how I would truly react.
Aside from Bush, someone I despise with every ounce of me, I cannot judge anyone’s actions who have suffered from Katrina’s wrath.
Do you know what you would do?
