The catalyst of a new gathering together, Hurricane Harvey, isn't raging anymore. He is, however, ever present in the Texas consciousness.A oneness that I've not experienced, for many a long month, overtook Texans' thoughts, conversations, lives. All eyes & ears were focused on the weather channel, the living radar diagrams, constant conversations and craving for more information that we experienced together. Our desperate coming together evolved as winds whipped in circles around us, rain fell without mercy, and electricity failed. 

All conversations were about it. We could not help ourselves. We are smitten by Mother Nature's evil force. Sadness and fear, apprehension and relief made us one again.

The weatherman stated late Sunday that San Antonio, my home, received a "soft punch" -- an odd phrase. The projected rains and damage were minimal. We lived under a bubble of grace for three days.

Friends in Houston have three feet of water in their condo, no electricity, no answers, as yet, from the insurance company; and. no wet-vac companies able to work. They continue to get more rain. Downtown streets in Houston are only accessible by boats, boats that have come from as far as Utah.

At least nine are dead. 

Us, we lost one branch from our pecan tree - one pretty insignificant branch. Just 197 miles, or 317 km, mutates our experience to the observers, rather than the recipients of deep loss. For them it is in the heart of their lives. So many of us are pulling together time and money to help those who've lost much and who are living with aching hearts, some in shelters across the state.

I truly hope that we won't let this cohesive energy and connection leave us too quickly. It is deeply encouraging to experience a community coming together - together as we should be.

May God bless Houston and our Texas Coast.

There are many ways to donate and make a difference. Here is one