Powerless

Feeling powerless is a horrible feeling, especially when you need it the most. The last few days have brought our community 10+ inches of snow, left hundreds of elderly and disabled stranded in their home, and has left me bound to my bed for almost 3 full days with the flu. 

It started last Monday with me notifying my partner agencies and the media that if there are people that physically can’t dig themselves out, to contact us and we’ll try to find volunteers to help.  Fast forward to Wednesday afternoon as the weather stops and I begin digging my own house out and rope my neighbor Josh into going out and taking a few projects. My phone has been ringing off the hook for hours at this point with one helpless person after another trying to get to the doctor or at least have their walks and driveways cleared. 

Thursday morning rolls around and my game plan was set to hit as many houses as I could before I dropped from exhaustion. Here’s where it all goes downhill. I woke up with what seemed like the flu coming on and boy did it come on. I was able to make a morning meeting as well as get to two projects before totally being wiped out. I made it home and have been stuck in bed every since. Rendered helpless myself. The flu is no joke.

The phone continued to ring through on Thursday and all day Friday. Well over 100 calls and every one of them legit needs. I rarely feel as overwhelmed as I do right now about things like this. It’s the “tension" that I refer to often. The tension between being a 1-man show and not being able to help everyone with a seemingly easy task like shoveling. (Shoveling is definitely hard work, especially when it iced over on Thursday). I find myself frustrated that there aren’t more people willing to step up and help, which typically overshadows the selflessness of a group of dependable volunteers that have been out doing several projects. (I appreciate every one of you that have been taking projects. Means a lot) 

I’m fortunate to have a wonderful wife, Michelle, jump in to help out as much as she could on Wednesday and Thursday by manning the phones, but couldn’t on Friday due to having to work herself. She’s been fantastic at taking care of me, helping with NL and taking care of our daughter Avery all on her own. She’s fantastic.

There is a lesson in this powerless felling that I’m sure I realize in the next few days. Probably along the lines that I and NeighborLink can’t be everything to everyone, but I hope not because that seems lame, especially when it comes to something as snow shoveling. It’s as neighborly as it gets. I’ll keep you posted if I come up with something profound.