The Eastern North Carolina Disaster assistance Response Team Came to My In-Laws today by request of My Wife to build a wheel chair ramp for them. My In-law's finances are now totally tied up with medical issues now and they don't have any cash flow left for much anything else. My Wife and I are helping all we can Financially but we are at our limits as well with what we can do. This group of Christian Men showed up and cheerfully went to work. I got there about 45 minutes after they arrived. They did not know who I was but invited me into their fellowship with open arms. One asked me jokingly as I came walking up if I was the relief. I told him I did not know what kind of relief I was but was there to lend a hand. They handed me a nail gun and we went to work. These guys have built hundreds of these ramps and they were like a machine. With 10 of us going, some cutting, some measuring and myself with the nail gun, We put together a 20' X 4' ramp in 2 hours. I never got a break from the gun. As I finished a board, they would slide the next perfectly cut board into place. It was awesome. When I realized we were through, I stopped for a minute to look at what we had done so quickly and looked at those fine gentlemen who did something incredible for people they do not know and I had to fight back tears. They then thanked me for helping them! That was a great big piece of humble Pie. As We finished, We all went into the house and surrounded My Mother-In-Law and One of the Men said a very Graceful Prayer for The two of them and Our family. As They were packing up to leave, One of the Guys asked what was the problem they were facing. When Kim Told them that both of her parents have stage 4 cancer, He was shocked, looked at the ground for a second, said He did not know what to say. I told Him "I know". "there is not much anyone can say". He looked at the ramp and when He looked back at Me, He had a very warm look on his face that told me that he was completely satisfied that he had done something good to the fullest which gave me some peace of mind. As They were loading up in the trucks to leave, I told each of them that I appreciated everything they had done and are doing. They will be back to build a small ramp to hop a small step going into the front door of the house later when needed.
After Isabel had hit, My Dad and I and an old friend that worked for us for 20 years did most of the heavy lifting. We never had anyone offer us help except for one neighbor that helped me clear my driveway so I could get mobile again. It took 4 months with our tractors, bulldozer and chainsaws to clear everything we had to clear. I lost faith in people back then because I saw many people getting help with a lot less to clear. Very minor issues. No One ever stopped to ask if I needed help. My back yard looked like an atomic bomb had hit. My backyard where once was grass was chest high in blown down trees so thick, you could not see the ground anywhere. People would ride by, slow down to look and then drive on. I felt very alone and that whole deal left a mark on me I will never forget. I probably would not have taken any help. After all, we had the equipment to clean up everything but it was at the shop. Not at my home yet. I was just hoping someone would stop by to offer. No one ever did. Today, My faith has been restored. I have helped a lot of people through the years and it makes You feel really good when You can help them with no strings attached. Today I for the first time was on the other end of that and it is humbling to say the least. It was a good day.CF
