Remembering West
Over the weekend we went to West, Texas to visit some family. My husband grew up in West, and we went to the high school homecoming football game. It was our first time to be back since the explosion at the fertilizer plant which happened back in April of this year.
As we drove to the stadium down the familiar street where we lived for a year, it made me sad to see all the homes with a black or red X marked near the front door. The X was a reminder that things were not the same as they once were in this little town. Saturday in the daylight we drove down some of the streets. We saw many empty lots where homes once stood. Now all that remains is a mailbox and concrete slab. There were quite a few houses with windows that were missing or boarded up. We saw some places where new homes were under construction. Huge trash dumpsters and piles of rubble seemed to be reminders of what had happened. One of the schools my husband attended is just a concrete slab now surrounded by a fence. Signs with encouraging messages like the one pictured here were placed all over town. We also noticed some homes that looked normal and unharmed on the outside mixed in amidst the devastation.
It’s hard to imagine the destruction that took place. This community lost so much that day in April, a little over five months ago. As we drove around I was struck by the thought that when terrible tragedies such as this happen, we hear about it on the news for a few days or maybe a week. But then something else happens and the news stories stop. I realized while thinking about our time in West how these situations can so easily fade from memory. Time passes and life goes on. We get busy and go back to our routines and schedules.
But for these people in West, life has been turned upside down and will never be the same again. People are gone from their lives, never to return. Houses no longer stand. A new normal is being learned.
Have we forgotten these people? Going back was a great reminder to me that these people are still recovering. They are still grieving and working to get some sense of normalcy in their lives. Just because we do not hear about it on the news doesn’t mean the pain has gone away.
I think this is true for any life-changing event anyone faces….for example, a fire that destroys a home, divorce, a cancer diagnosis, or the death of a loved one. In the first few days and weeks the support may be incredibly strong with people wanting to step in and help out. But as time passes it can be easy to forget about the person who has lost so much or is trying to adjust to a new normal. The sadness and grief continue for them, even though life has continued on for the rest of the world.
Think about the people you know who have experienced a loss or life changing event in the past year. Make an effort to reach out to these and let them know they are remembered.
Remind that that God is always with them and cares about the valleys they are going through. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
He remembers them in their pain and suffering. As He knows the birds of the air and cares for them, He also cares for each of us.
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Let us be an encouragement by remembering not to forget those learning to live a new normal.
Have a day of blessings!
Very sad, lifting this town up in prayer.
Thanks for the reminder to encouragevthose around us who may have experienced tragedies in their lives.
This is such a timely reminder, thank you.
You are right, Bethany. We too often move on too quickly and forget about the people who had a life-changing event. May I be an encouragement to them longer then a week.