FirstAGOFallon.com

My wife and I recently had the opportunity to travel (by motorcycle) into the flooded areas along the Mississippi River on Hwy 79. After much detouring and jogging around the back roads, we finally ended up in the small town of Clarksville, Missouri. We found a restaurant that was along the rivers edge and had lunch. Our waitress was a very nice young woman that told us she had lived just below us but was flooded out at the moment.

All along the trip, we came across the National Gaurd sitting at entryways protecting the property in the area. We also brought along a camera and took some interesting pictures of the flooded streets and people sandbagging. It was interesting to see in each small town we went through people walking around in [Bless You!]ers and helping each other out. We even took a picture of children playing by the rivers edge. Catastrophe seems to bring oput the best in folks and it reminded me of my missions trips to S. America. Down there, people had literally nothing but, they all worked together and pitched in to help out each other in need. I was amazed at how the children, though bony from a lack of nutrition, seemed to play and enjoy each day with their friends.

I was always a bit angry, and even a bit disappointed when I would come back to the US to find how affluence tended to turn people into spoiled rotten brats. It was sort of a "culture shock" when I returned. But the issue I find most disturbing is that when we, as a people in this country come together during a time of crisis, our friendship only lasts for a short while. Once the crisis is over and everyone can get back to their lives, it's back to the same old selfishness, self-centered way, at least until the next crisis.

Anyway, I don't mean to be so long winded, I just wanted to put my two cents in before I referred you to article about the current flooding going on in Missouri.