In the past two weeks alone, tragic floods have swept across places we love – devastating Central Texas, overwhelming Plainfield, New Jersey and turning everyday streets into waterscapes in New York City and beyond. Lives have been lost, homes destroyed and families left shaken.

In times like these it’s easy to feel helpless, not knowing what to do or how to help, but here’s what I’ve learned: we are a tapestry woven by shared stories of loss, grief and the necessity to reach out. 

These tragedies are more than weather events – they are reminders. Tragedy shouldn’t be the only reason that we step closer to one another. What if we gathered together and put our differences aside before the storms? What if kindness, empathy and understanding weren’t reserved for emergencies or tragedies, but simply became our everyday way of living?

Let today be a reminder to reach out to someone who lives alone, send a message of thanks to your community first responders or simply share your umbrella with someone who needs it without being asked. 

Every act of kindness matters, whether that’s a comforting meal, a check-in call, or donating to local relief.

Unity doesn’t and shouldn’t just begin in disaster. It grows every single time that we choose to show up. Let tragedy remind us of who we are. 

We are human beings who hurt together, heal together and hold each other always, not just when the skies open up.

Let’s build our bridges together as human beings now, not just in floods. 

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~