There are certain times in our lives when events unfold around us that show us just how fortunate we are. We see how much we have and just how quickly everything we know can change. We see that material possessions are not permanent. And hopefully, we see the big picture in life.
The powerful storms that have battered the Midwest over these last weeks have turned many people's lives upside down. People see everything they have worked for their whole lives gone in a flash. But what can we learn from these storms? What are the long-term effects of this level of devastation?
Power outages have been one of the most common occurrences from these storms. For some they are a minor inconvenience, sending them back to the proverbial Stone Age for only an hour or two. But power outages can be far more than simply an annoyance for some people. Senior citizens on oxygen can have their very lives depending on reliable electricity. Other things in our lives are heavily dependent on power as well. Grocery stores are just one example. When a grocery store loses power, refrigerator trucks and emergency generators are the only things that can keep them from losing thousands of dollars in inventory and facing financial ruin.
Storms also can be rough in the entertainment industry. A few weeks back, Verizon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville was hosting an Eric Clapton concert. The show ended prematurely due to the weather. With all of the electrical equipment being used, the venue simply can't risk having a show during a downpour like we have been seeing. Lives can be at risk in such a situation.
A lot of people joke when their Internet service gets knocked out that they are forced back in to the dark ages of pen and paper, which in reality are simply the days of about 20 years ago, when the Internet was still very much in its infancy. It is an annoyance, but it also can be more than just an aggravation for those people who use the Internet for more than just talking to family, playing games and looking up sports scores. Many people today either make their livelihoods solely on the Internet or at least use it in their occupations. For them, the reality is more than just inconvenience. It is a hurt that goes all the way to the bank.
There are people, though, for whom the storms are a blessing. In central Indiana, those individuals with tree trimming and clean up businesses have enough work to keep them busy for quite some time. Trees are down all over the city, and people are anxious to get their properties cleaned up.
Plumbing companies and those who deal with flood damage are also seeing plenty of business as a result of the storms and resulting damage. Torrential rainfall overwhelms local sewer systems, and people need someone to come and clean everything up for them. They are the ones people need for help. This is their big money-making opportunity.
The storms are truly life changing. But I believe that above all else, the storms have shown us the true spirit of people. People aren't asking for what they don't need. People of all walks of life in Indiana and indeed throughout the Midwest, have set aside their differences and are working toward the greater good.
It's odd that sometimes our greatest moments come from our darkest hours.
Write to Alex atapcarroll@bsu.edu
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