LOVE

Each year, some writers select a word to be their word for the year. I thought of several words, but none of them resonated with me. Our church is part of a Disaster Relief Team. I found my word. Love.

You need to love humanity or helping people. Volunteers work from sunup to sundown daily and never complained.

The tornado hit Graves County and Marshall County in Kentucky on December 10,.2021. Both areas experienced abundant losses. The devastation is beyond words.

Several Amish came from Pennsylvania. They built barns, helped remove downed trees, and cleared up property for victims. A young rancher from South Dokaka saw the destruction on television and headed our way. A group from Minnesota came, called their wives to come with 100 pounds of ground beef. They fed us hamburgers, beans, and potato salad. That was the best hamburger I have ever eaten. People came from Alabama, Tennessee, California,Indiana, Vermont, and I know I have missed a few states. Why did they come? Because they love to help.

Therefore my word for 2022 is love. Not only love of my family and friends, but love for everyone. We forget how many people need our love. We forget the people in need, especially when a natural disaster happens.

Our congregation helped those in need. With help from volunteers, the area is fairly cleaned. Soon the builders will come to help build houses. It will be several months before everyone can see progress.

Everyone who came to Kentucky to help have blessed us. Our congregation prepared three meals each day for the workers. Some days, it seemed like a monumental task, but we did it. Everyone who came encouraged us.

We didn\’t know anyone who came. We know them now, and we are thankful for their help.