As I write this, the tornadoes of April 29 are just hours behind us.

My wife and I were fortunate. Where we live was spared. Our fellow East Texans in Canton and other towns were not.

Canton was hit by four twisters, and Grand Saline by one.

There was loss of life and loss of homes and property.

As I look out of the bay window of our home, the sun is shining and the air is calm and crisp. A stark contrast from what I saw though the same panes a half day previous.

What I’m feeling is a mixture of sadness and empathy.

But, I am also filled with pride. I am witnessing how much good is inside of people.

Before the weather turned ominous, those who work at the National Weather Service, in the news media, and the amateur radio operators, did what they do best. They manned their stations and went to work.

Days prior, those who forecast warned that severe weather was possible. As it formed, ham radio operators joined the emergency weather frequency and reported what they saw and heard. This information was shared with the weather service and the news outlets.

Ham operators aren’t paid. During emergencies, while others are taking cover, they stare down ugly weather and other dangerous events so that others can be warned.

The news media did an outstanding job. Television and radio stations reported almost nonstop. Newspapers did the same on the internet and social media.

Social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, has brought the general public into a role that they previously couldn’t play: Reporter.

Within minutes of the first twisters, videos, photos, and information was flowing through social media. It allowed families who were caught in the affected areas to let relatives and friends know that they were OK. It also helped those responding to the disasters know where they were needed.

Many of our first responders, like ham operators, are also volunteers. Those who are members of the volunteer fire departments do what they do because they want to. Often, at their own expense. It was the faces of these men and women that we saw responding to help those who needed them.

A good human being is someone goes toward danger instead of away from it.

We watched videos of these responders climbing under overturned cars and trucks, searching houses that were only half there, and wading through mud-filled pastures, looking for someone who was waiting for their assistance.

Those of us who call this part of the United States home know that tornadoes are part of living here. Just as those on the West Coast endure earthquakes, and coastal residents deal with hurricanes, we know that this type of severe weather goes with the territory.

Many of us have been through and even in a tornado. But we don’t let it beat us.

We do what we always do. We help each other. We clean up, and we rebuild.

We are doing it now, and we’ll do it again.

I was always taught that most people are inherently good. Sometimes, I doubt that. But, tragic events such as April 29 restore my faith in humanity.

When tragedy strikes, we want answers. Sometimes, there are none.

This is where faith steps in. Because without faith in tragedy, there is little hope.

©2017 John Moore
To read additional blogs, visit johnmoore.net/blog