We all hope for unexpected news that brings happiness or at least relief. If something is going to appear out of the blue it would be helpful if it didn’t do us any harm, right?
Alas, we don’t get to pick and choose.
Did you see this? An Amazon delivery truck went through a Howard County home yesterday! (No injuries.) Today, the homeowner spoke exclusively with @wbaltv11 about the bizarre incident. Skyteam 11 captured it all from above. I have the story @ 5:00 p.m. - - Tommie Clark, WBAL
Let’s zoom in on this, shall we?
The photos are dated October 31st. That’s one heck of a trick or treat experience, if you ask me.
Now here’s where the story takes a twist, in my opinion.
The homeowners are not angry — rather, they are glad the wreck wasn't any worse.
"I'm just blessed I still have a home that exists. At worst, you know, everything collapsed, or something exploded. But I'm thankful for God's grace that the house is still standing," the homeowner said.
That’s a very gracious attitude, under the circumstances. Maybe they felt it was the right thing to say to the television folks or perhaps they are absolutely sincere. But it occurs to me that being able to say that during a time of hardship comes from having a basic safety net of financial (and overall) stability. This is not a criticicism. It’s an acknowledgment of some basic facts about life.
An example: during the early lockdowns of the COVID pandemic my husband and I were both able to work from home. Our kid, though unhappy about it, could go to college from home. I had a bit of money set aside that I was able to use toward making charitable donations in the community.
It was a crisis situation and fraught with anxiety but we were, at least for that time period, okay. And we knew how fortunate we were. For other folks right here in Howard County those same circumstances were devastating.
The folks in Clarksville are not jumping for joy over a truck inside their house but they are in a position to survive. In a crisis that’s a very good feeling. Not everyone is in that position. One piece of unexpected news could mean losing one’s place to live, one’s job, one’s long term health prospects, one’s civil rights.
This isn’t just about Amazon trucks. You know that, right?
If you know that you’ll be able to survive that metaphorical truck driving into your house please refrain from telling other people that they can, too. You may have no idea what their reality looks like.
*****
In a different kind of Local HoCo Holiday Shopping recommendation: The Light the World Giving Machine will be back at the Mall in Columbia from December 5th - 18th.
Using a #LightTheWorld Giving Machine is as easy as buying a candy bar. Except at the Giving Machine the sweet impact can last a lifetime.
The Giving Machine Maryland comes to The Mall in Columbia December 5-18. Plan now to visit, make a donation, and vend joy to the world!
This year’s recipients are as follows:
- Grassroots Crisis Intervention
- Bright Minds Foundation
- The Franciscan Center of Baltimore
- Bridges to Housing Stability
- Digital Harbor Foundation
- Mentors International
- Days for Girls International
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