Gratitude Amid Heartache – A Reflection Post Hurricane Helene
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left me with a deep sense of loss, heartbreak, and disbelief. Seeing the devastation in my community—homes destroyed, landscapes altered beyond recognition, and lives uprooted—it all feels surreal. My heart aches for the families who have lost so much, for the memories washed away, and for the pain that lingers in the air, heavier than any storm cloud.
Yet, even in this darkness, there are glimmers of light that remind me of the strength and resilience of the human spirit. I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the incredible first responders who have been a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.
To my sons, daughter, brother, sisters, daughter-in-law , and grandchildren - thank you for loving me. I am sorry you were worried, and grateful that you were worried. When I was able to connect with you after the storm, I felt your loving arms around me. Thank you. I am a blessed and lucky woman. #leeleesclan
To the firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and rescue teams—thank you. You have risked your lives to save others, and your tireless efforts have brought comfort and safety to so many. I’ve seen you work long hours, pushing through exhaustion, to ensure that our community is protected. Your bravery in the face of danger has been awe-inspiring.
To Buncombe County Schools employees, volunteers, and neighbors who showed up with open hearts and willing hands—thank you. Whether you provided leadership, food, technology support, maintenance support, a warm shower, clean and folded laundry, or just a kind word, your generosity has been a lifeline for those who are struggling to pick up the pieces. You’ve reminded us that we are not alone, even when it feels like everything around us has fallen apart. It is an honor to be a member of your community.
To my Industry Partners, Deparment of Environmental Health, Buncombe County Schools Foundation and NCDPI support team. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for answering my call, and responding to the needs of Buncombe County Schools quickly, with love, compassion and donations. I am forever grateful. Thank you for reaching out to see if we were OK. It is your efforts that supported me in gaining what I need to weather this storm and prepare to reopen and. feed our children.
In the midst of the grief and loss, I’ve also felt anger—anger that I was getting asked if help was here because misinformation was being used for political gain. Yes, help is here and it has been amazing. F.E.M.A. has been responsive and has already inspected our road and property. I am grateful to our federal agency. I felt anger at the destruction, at the helplessness, at the sheer unfairness of it all. It’s natural to feel angry in the face of such devastation, but it’s important to remember that anger if left unchecked, can weigh us down and isolate us. Instead of letting it consume me, I’ve learned to channel it into action. I encourage anyone feeling this way to take small steps toward healing. Whether it’s volunteering, organizing relief efforts, or simply offering support to those around you, turning that anger into a force for good can be empowering. In helping others, we also begin to heal ourselves.
While my heart is broken by the losses we’ve suffered, it is also filled with immense gratitude for the love and kindness that has emerged in the aftermath. There is a long road to recovery ahead, and the scars left behind by Helene will remain. But I believe that together, we will heal. We will rebuild, not just our homes and streets, but also the sense of hope that this storm tried to take from us.
To anyone reading this who has also been affected by the storm, my heart goes out to you. Let us continue to lean on each other and honor the courage and compassion of those who are helping us get through this. #lunchheroheartbeats #leeleeslifelessons #AshevilleNCHomeiswherertheheartis #BCSRocks #Allyouneedislove #Itsgreattobealiveintheblueridgemountains
