ROCKPORT, TEXAS GROUND ZERO, FORGOTTEN!!!!!
Well, here we are and several weeks have passed since Harvey came ashore at Rockport, Texas–which was ground zero. We happen to have a house 1 block from the beach, about 150 yards, and the eye of the storm passed over our house. We were more than “blessed” as we had almost no damage as compared to the rest of the town. The town is a mess from one end to the other. It is so strange as one house is fine, so to speak, while the house next door is a complete loss. Three blocks south of us was the apartment house that was destroyed and shown on the news and three blocks north of us was the laundry mat which was destroyed and also shown on the news reports.
Because of the horrible flooding in Houston the news has forgotten Rockport; but, the need for help is still all over town. There are no restaurants open because of the damage and because the worker’s homes were totaled and they have vanished from the town. My wife and I are believers and we prayed hard and our home was spared. I told the owners of the houses around me that they owed me “protection money” because when “HE” looked down at the Google map and put his finger on my house his finger also touched their houses as well so we all came away clean. All the houses around me suffered little to no damage. A miracle because we were at “ground zero”.
Because of our good fortune, my wife and I decided to use the moneys we would have spent on repairs and “pay it forward” to help others not so fortunate. We decided to furnish hot meals to the residents and boy were they appreciative. They said, although very grateful, that they were sick of hot dogs, sandwiches and the like. We are feeding home cooked meals, chips, cornbread, garlic bread, cold drinks and desert. It is not fancy. But, they have a table to sit at and enjoy a hot meal. Believe me when I tell you that some have been emotional. It has been a wonderful experience for us as well.
On our first trip down, we ran into a lady at the truck stop in Blanco while we were gassing up and she asked if we were “coming or going. I told her going and she asked me to wait just a minute and returned from her vehicle and handed me $100.00 bill for gas. I failed to get her name and I hope she sees this as we used the money to directly feed the folks. No wasted administration fee or such. From her hand to the mouths of those in need. Alamo Racing Canines, a San Antonio/Hill Country Flyball Team, has made a nice donation. We have had others help in our venture, but ask that we not publish their names.
We are planning on another trip this next week where we assume to feed about 70 people. We have fed about that number each week. First week was “hot pulled pork”, then “Cajun beans/rice/cornbread and this week’s treat will be “pork stew/rice with bread or rolls. Yum, yum, come and get you some. The song writer in me just snuck out of me. Rhyme, rhyme, all the time.
If you feel like helping out, find those whom are still helping and help them provide the help that is still so badly needed.
My Daddy's Common Sense 