“I didn’t expect the storms to come, literally and figuratively. The streets are flooding with water, but also fear and panic. I didn’t expect to see younger generations caring for the elderly. Stepping outside of ego to defend the defenseless.”
‘I didn’t expect to spend my daughter’s spring break roaming the bare aisles of a grocery store. I also didn’t expect it to unite us.’ Mom says ‘with perseverance, perspective, and hope—the best is yet to be’
‘A man in his 60s got behind me in line as I frantically loaded the conveyor belt. ‘Looks like you’re going to need another cart,’ he said and nodded to his own.’: Woman shares touching act of kindnes
“Walmart started closing its aisles. I was overwhelmed and my baby barely fit in my overflowing cart. I was shoving bagged items on the floor and back of the cart when an older man approached me. ‘I’m going to push your cart to your car. Don’t say no.’ It was pouring rain. I nearly cried right there.”
‘I chose to burn a bridge. I cancelled last minute, knowing I will have to pay back the money I’d been given for travel expenses.’: Mom says ‘we can all make choices to protect each other without panic’
“My decision was not based out of fear. I am not afraid for myself. I’m a healthy 38 year old. My dad and my son are not.”
‘I remember saying, ‘People are being so out of control, this will be over next week.’ Now, I live in the epicenter.’: Mom urges ‘stay home’ during panic, ‘It could mean your grandpa living to see your kid’s next birthday’
“I posted all the funny memes. We went on saying it ‘wouldn’t happen to us here.’ My husband and I rolled our eyes and made jokes. As the days unfolded, it kept getting a little closer to home.”
‘I was sick, and in survival mode. Holland was screaming, ‘DO IT AGAIN DO IT AGAIN!’ Then, I heard thumpthumpTHUD KURPLUNK!!’: Mom says to remember ‘we have to count to ten’
“I came around the hallway just in time to see my 6-year-old son sledding down the stairs with a maniacal grin, in a freaking laundry basket. It wasn’t 9 a.m. and I already burst into tears.”
‘My child started hiding canned foods in the garage. ‘I wanted to make sure we had enough, mom.’ I realized then that they were panicking, because I was.’: Mom urges for a calm in the storm, ‘Take a breath, your kids are watching’
“I told my kids to make sure they picked up a pack of TP every time they went into a store. Let’s be real, your kids know what’s going on. We are teaching them it’s okay to mow somebody down when they’re scared of something.”
‘She ‘stocked up’ on a 2-month supply. ‘I shouldn’t have to put my family in jeopardy just because others don’t know how to prepare.’: Mom says ‘preparing shouldn’t look like hoarding’
“She had 2 months worth of toilet paper, cleaning products, and dry food. She said it, ‘Wasn’t her fault.’ My friend is a teacher with MS who has been to 3 stores today searching for basics. Preparing shouldn’t look like hoarding.”
‘As you push past another shopper, determined to be the first one through the checkout line, your children are watching.’: Mom reminds us to hold our children tight, ‘Your actions speak just as loudly as your words’
“You fretfully throw toilet paper and hand-sanitizer into your shopping cart. You rigorously wash your hands, for the fourth time this hour. ‘Are we going to be okay, mama?’ they ask on the car ride home. Your actions speak just as loudly as your words.”
‘Mommy, kids were yelling and happy, but I’m scared.’ She tearfully told me students poured into the hallways after dismissal. I choked back sobs.’: Mom says ‘if we are engaged, we can teach our kids coping skills and resiliency’
“I knew my husband was there to get her but I was too far away in that moment. I know that panic because I’ve had it too. These are the generations that were born and raised post 9-11. They are a generation that grew up practicing active shooter drills at school. Yet they kept going to school. Until now.”
‘I noticed an elderly man standing behind a bridge. ‘Excuse me sir, are you OK?’ He turned and looked at me. ‘I’m OK love. I’m just admiring the view.’: Woman says elderly are ‘most at risk and most hopeful’
“‘Oh no,’ I thought. Was he panicking? Was he all alone and afraid? He turned around and said, ‘Lovely day, isn’t it?’ He tipped his hat, gave me a smile, and walked off in the direction of home. In all of this, they are the most calm. The most brave. The most hopeful. They aren’t stock piling pasta or toilet rolls, they are looking out for themselves and others.”