This Yank

Friday, April 29, 2011

Yes, according to the Brits I am a Yank. I live on this side of the pond, they on that. Separated by generations of revolt, united by the common sense of cause, I still am just a Yank. So what’s a Yank to do?

My hat is off to my relatives, the Brits but I will not be attending your joyous festivities. I feel more pressing matters are at hand, I feel the timing is just not right, I feel it just not right.

My neighbors to the east and especially the south are in mourning. In the time it takes you to pour your tea their world was gone; shattered and scattered with the wind. Enough to make this southern Yank put priorities in perspective.

There is no joy in mudville and while I sit safe in my humble abode, my presence is a blessing. There but for the grace of god go I.

I will not pretend to have the words to describe their situation but I can say I understand. I understand their state of shock, I understand their confusion, I understand the road they do see before them and I understand their sense of mourning. I respect that mourning.

For this there will be no attending royal festivities, no tea to celebrate the occasion and as to the hat I had selected…

It will be traded for my black, southern ball cap. I will don it out of respect for my southern brothers and sisters who are mourning.

Please after your royal festivities remember my southern family members and keep them close in your thoughts and prayers.

Peace…

Technorati Tags: A-Z Challenge,Tornadoes,Yank,Royal Wedding,Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

25 comments:

Vicki Rocho said,: Those tornadoes are horrible! I'm such a wuss about bad weather to begin with, but all these storms are adding to my paranoia -- and I've been nowhere near them!
Cruella Collett said,: It is absolutely dreadful to watch the images from the areas hit by the tornado. My thoughts are with the victims.
Summer Ross said,: My sister lives Arkansas. I called and had a good long chat with her yesterday. Good post Jules.
Alex J. Cavanaugh said,: Yes, the devastation is terrible. Our town was hit two weeks ago, but nothing like that.
RHYTHM AND RHYME said,: Perhaps we have been celebrating Jules, but the news bulletins have been keeping us up to date with the tornado's, the suffering, the loss of lives and property, We are thinking of you please believe me.
Yvonne.
Manzanita said,: Fascinating post. Your heartfelt sympathies to the storm burdened people while acknowledging the royal festivities.
It has been my privilege to meet you and follow your blog during the A-Z.
Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck
Theresa Milstein said,: It is a strange dichotomy between the tornado devastation and the royal wedding. My thoughts are with our southern friends too.

I wish you a good weekend.
Tracy said,: Jules, you are right! and interestingly enough, this morning Nicholas woke me up because he couldn't sleep and wasn't feeling good so we came downstairs and curled up on the couch to turn on the news and what was on? The Royal Wedding; there were no main channels talking aobut the tornado. Well, I did watch the Royal Wedding and it was beautiful and I though well, if nothing else, it's allowing people to take their mind off the horrible damage and devastation of the reality of life here in the US.
I heard last night someone compare it to the destruction of Katrina just more spread out over many states rather than a single concentrated area...
Samantha Vérant said,: Hats off to you Jules! And, just think, the Brits are actually paying for that wedding with their tax dollars...

just sayin'
Blasphemous Aesthete said,: There’s a little piece of heaven
Right here where you are
the fact that you keep trying
is what sets you apart

There is not just sympathy for the neigbours but reverence because they haven't given up yet.

Cheers,
Blasphemous Aesthete
Unknown said,: I can't believe all the destruction caused by those tornados. I hope all your friends and family are safe.
N. R. Williams said,: I'm so glad your safe and my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones and everything they own. It is so difficult. Our news cast last night was all about this cycle of tornadoes and they said it was the worse in recorded history. May God grace you with His presence and preserve you with His hand. (In case you don't know, grace means the love of God).
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium.
Paula said,: I had to educate myself about tornado's as in Germany they arent happen very often. I think 4 times since the 12century!!!!

My thoughts are with the affected people.

Just to let you know. They did get their fairy tale expensive wedding. Yet they had asked many months ago that they do not care about gifts but appreciate all in donation for charities worldwide.

Paula xxx
Gail said,: Beautiful post, your heart is certainly in the right place.
Anonymoussaid,: This is a beautiful post, Jules. I'm so glad you're safe. A tornado touched down in several small towns not far from us here in Virginia.

Such disasters always make me reflect on what's really important in life. Helping others, for one thing.

Of course the Brits didn't know the wedding would coincide with a disaster here, but I'm impressed, too, that the royal couple didn't want gifts but wanted the money to go to charity.

All most of us can do is pray that the victims will get the help they need and be comforted. Most of us have no idea what they're going through--unless we've been through something similar. I can't think of anyone who would want to experience such a disaster!

I've always believed that the test for those of us not afflicted is how we respond to those who need help.

I always enjoy your comments on my blog. (Some day I do hope to figure out how to use codes!)
Ann Best, Memoir Author
Jayne said,: Jules- I couldn't attend either. So many other more important things to attend to, as you've so eloquently expressed here. What is going on out there? It's just crazy! I hope we see relief soon. My heart goes out to all those affected by the recent disasters.
Bossy Betty said,: Thinking of all the victims of the storms...
The Words Crafter said,: Our daycare is sending all the clothes left over from our yard sale to the victims (bunches of really nice stuff!). They're in my prayers daily. Some of the families are known to many of my co-workers (I live in NC...)

Stay safe. Stay well. Enjoy life!
February Grace said,: Jules, I have been frustrated every time a US network led the evening news with wedding coverage instead of the storms...priorities, indeed.

There was one thing I admired, though: Brian Williams from NBC Nightly News and his whole team was in London to cover the wedding and the moment they heard the first death toll number, and knew it was rising, they got on a plane and flew back to cover the devastation, instead.

They won my vote, and my viewership.

Keeping all those touched by the storms (and I know you must have a lot of stress, all those warnings you had to watch even though they didn't hit you) in my heart and you especially.

hugs
bru
Ella said,: I thought about them when I posted, may do something next week! It is terrible and sooo sad~ We had warning all day Friday; it is crazy how quickly one's world can be ruined~
They are in my prayers n' thoughts~
floweringmama said,: Amen. Owensboro is nearly under water, but thank God we've been fortunate enough to miss the tornadoes.

Praying for all.
Golden Eagle said,: The tornadoes have caused so much destruction across so much of the country--and some are saying it could get worse this year.

My thoughts are with those in the south.
Tammy said,: Amen.
Corine Moore said,: I'm so thankful that you are safe, and so sad for so many who are not. I feel so blessed to be in such a safe area! And I feel spoiled for it, too. I go about my days with no worries, and then hear of what others are going through... I must reach out more to show my gratitude for my many blessings!
Auto Title Loans said,: One of my friends was in Alabama when the tornadoes hit, and surprisingly she and her place is okay. Can you imagine having to deal with that? I know in Illinois I've experienced a few bad ones, but nothing to this nature. Thoughts be with them.
Ava