Plaza Ridge Elementary
This morning the results are just as bad. Worse, really. There are numbers to go with the images. Numbers that will go up as the hours grind on. And yet this morning my heavy heart has a bit of buoyancy. The anchor of tragedy has a counter-curse.
KINDNESS.
Yesterday the stories of kindness were happening. Immediate and constant kindness was poured out in a million ways. Today the stories begin to be told. I know we haven't even scratched the surface of what Okies did yesterday. That's just who they are.
Teachers laying down their very lives for their students. Administrators that prepared for this unthinkable so there was a safe place to go and their kids knew when and how to get there. How many did they save? Can we even begin to count them?
First responders from all over blanketing Moore, OK with their skills. Their unselfish presence - not just this time, but every time - pulled out the ones that could still be saved. The things they have seen are beyond horrific. They worked all night. And they Keep. Coming. Back.
The people of Joplin, MO in empathy and gratitude said very clearly, "Hold on. We are coming."
That speaks to me and pushes me to more kindness of my own. There is good happening.
Where tragedy is blackest kindness fights harder, does more, and stays longer.
LOVE WINS. LOVE DOES.
