Feeling some solidarity
Storm gave a taste and a reason for thanks
By Tony Staley
Compass Editor
Tuesday evening, Sept. 13, a storm swept through part of Green Bay and its southern suburbs. The lightning and rain passed quickly, but not before winds of up to 80 mph and a tree-top tornado kayoed numerous trees and electrical service to tens of thousands of people.
Residents suddenly experienced some solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi who felt the wrath of Hurricane Katrina. Admittedly, it was only a slight taste of the disaster. A few downed trees or limbs and a few hours without electricity don't compare to flooding, death, the destruction of homes and cities, and the need to evacuate for months.
But all at once, lives were altered - no lights, television, hair dryers or morning coffee. Instead, there was quiet time for family and neighbors.
Fallen trees drew friends and neighbors together to pull branches out of streets and to clean up messes.
All the while, the horror of Katrina, loomed in our minds. We could feel not only some solidarity, but a great deal of gratitude that our inconvenience was so short-lived.
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