Humans Helping Humans
Stories of humans helping humans have brought me to tears more than once this week. What is it about acts of kindness, courage, or unselfishness that evoke such profound emotion?
Hurricane Harvey’s devastation in Texas has brought much of our country back to basics. As we watch in disbelief, the prospect of our own pain has propelled our empathy to a new level.
Early on in the flooding, I saw one of the most courageous, moving videos I’ve seen in a long time. Two men with a rope tied to a tree were rescuing three men standing in chest-high floodwaters. The men were of different races and ethnicities, but race and ethnicity didn’t matter to anyone at the time.
People have been putting themselves at risk for more than a week to save other people. “What’s your race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and political persuasion?” is not part of the litmus test to save a stranger or a neighbor. People simply jump in, sometimes literally, and do what is right.
People simply jump in, sometimes literally,
and do what is right.
Reminding Us of Our Humanity
We need to share our own personal stories like these with our children and grandchildren. These stories remind us of our humanity.
We hear so many negative news stories that we are led to believe kindness is no longer common and that it takes a tragedy to remember our humanity.
I don’t believe that is true. I believe that most people are good. They try to get by the best they can. They want to take care of their families and live in love and peace.
I bet you have your own family stories of ordinary kindness, courage, and unselfishness. Please share these stories with your children and grandchildren this month.
Today, we focus on Hurricane Harvey, but mid-month we will remember September 11, 2001—one of the most prominent examples of humans helping humans in the last fifty years.
I encourage you to share the stories you recall about September 11 with us in the comments below and with your family. Where were you? What did you see, hear, and smell? What did you fear? What type of kindness, courage, and unselfishness did you witness?
Stories remind us of our humanity. Share your stories often. Save your life story forever. You won't regret it.
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This publication is based upon personal experience, research, and education. Although the author has made every reasonable attempt to achieve complete accuracy of the content in this article, the author and Sunday Dinner Stories assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or inaccurate information. For privacy reasons, some names may have been changed or omitted. The content is not intended to replace common sense, legal, medical, or other professional advice; it is meant to encourage, inspire, educate, and inform the reader. That means you should consult with your attorney, doctors, and other professionals if you have any concern about implementing our advice. But we hope you'll consider us your memoir professionals and will consult us for all your storytelling needs!
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