Editor's note: Photo above of tornado northwest of Bismarck on June 27, by Amy Neurohr, NDFB staff member. The account below is from the previous weekend's severe weather that produced several tornadoes and significant destruction.
By Kelli Bowen
Last weekend, I woke up to a flurry of social media activity, text messages, and snapchats. When I went to bed, the radar showed that the weather should miss our house on the “east side.” When we woke up, I discovered some of my favorite people were not so lucky.
I went to tell Hubby what had happened. He was actively loading his pickup with a generator: “I’m going to head east.” I agreed. We woke the kids, loaded the vehicles, and drove east.
On the way, one of my favorite people called and said, “Don’t come”. I said, “I’m coming. I’m already driving.” The response: “Don’t, it’s across the state!” I said, “All I need is time and gas, and I’ve got both. I’m coming,” and kept driving.
You see, one of my favorite people doesn’t want to be a bother or want to put someone out, so I just ignore her words and keep coming.
Several hours later, I walked down her tree-strewn road into her yard. She saw me coming. We melted into a big, sweaty hug, and she said, “God, I love you”.
I didn’t do much. I didn’t cook meals or move trees, and I didn’t even touch a rake. I brought some cases of water, took some kids swimming, and fed them candy. I checked in and gave hugs.
After a few days, I received a message about being thankful for friends like us. Hubby looked at me and said, “But we didn’t even do anything.”
What we did was show up.
From tragedies to idle time, through it all, we want people to show up. Sometimes it’s inconvenient to show up. Sometimes it’s not fun. Sometimes we don’t think we’re wanted or needed. We talk ourselves into all sorts of nonsense.
I hear people say, “Well, I’ll help; however, so-and-so just needs to let me know if they need anything.” Don’t make it someone else’s responsibility for you to show up.
A great conservationist once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
I had time and gas last weekend, so I showed up. I challenge you to show up for someone this week, you may only need time and gas.
Kelli makes her home in Billings County with her husband, two daughters and a dog. She works for North Dakota's #1 tourist destination by day and tries to be an alright mom, wife, friend, and writer by night.
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