Back from Rita

To everyone coming back from the evacuation--welcome home! I made it home today, with the waves of Houstonians on the freeways, and was thrilled to find no damage and no power loss. I learned a lot from this hurricane experience; mainly how UNimportant material possessions are in the face of disaster. How the only things that need to be protected during the storm are people. Especially loved ones. And how faith alone can get you through anything.

Friday Night Lights

On almost any fall Friday night in almost any town across America, there are thousands and thousands of families all going through exactly the same ritual. It’s high school football! Kids playing their hearts out, parents cheering, the band performing, cheerleaders and dancers strutting....it’s what we all do! (why am I thinking about high school football? Because this radio station has covered local football games for well over 25 years, and it NEVER gets boring.) If you haven’t gone to a high school game in a while, do yourself a favor. Buy a ticket and go. You will be amazed at how much fun it is (even when you don’t have a kid in the system). And when that national anthem is sung on the field and the flags are raised, look around......what you see IS what America is all about.

You may not agree with me, but......

Like everyone else, I have pretty staunch opinions on things, and today I am actually wading into the political fray to add my 2 cents worth. You know, the state of Texas took the humanitarian high road by taking most of the refugees in one fell swoop. Did they think it all the way through? Probably not. Will there be problems with displaced people, increased crime in the area, loss of jobs for those already here? Probably so. Will we regret it in the long run? Possibly so. However, with that said, rather than gripe about how the Astrodome will have to be demolished after all this, and despairing over the state of Houston....okay, here’s my 2 cents worth......it’s time to move on. Want to help? Donate money. Go volunteer. Unless we have solutions ourselves, there really is no point in being hostile......life is just too short!

Broadcasting Disaster

Working at a radio station during a disaster is difficult to describe. We are being flooded with massive amounts of information, that can literally save lives, and having to sift through each and every piece of news to make sure it is correct. My students are getting "real-life" experience like no other, and we are all running on adrenaline and the desire to help in any way we can. Broadcasters often risk their own personal safety to stay on-air and serve their communities, and while not all of them are fabulous, they are driven to help by getting information to the people. Today the National Association of Broadcasters just announced that they are making a $1 million dollar cash donation to the American Red Cross. I have never been more proud of this industry!

For Some of Us - It Could Be Worse

I feel really blessed that I made it back from Alabama literally one hour before they closed Interstate 10 and made it all contra-flow (is that a word?) lanes on Saturday. Just in time!!! I have been oddly moved lately by the number of people that are calling that are either encouraging, or they desperately need someone to talk to about their cancer diagnosis. All I can say is that there is a plan....I just wish I knew what it was.......

You know, I now have a really annoying face rash from the last bout of chemotherapy, and I may be getting ready to buy a wig....but I am blessed in that I do not live in the New Orleans area! It’s wonderful how local businesses are helping out the folks that came here to avoid the hurricane. If you see anyone with Mississippi or Louisiana plates on the road, give them a ‘thumbs up’ and a smile. And if you can, call 1-800-HELP-NOW and see what you can do.