Nashville

As so many of you already know Nashville is one of my former homes. Ties to Music City are very strong for me, as it was the city in which I got my start professionally. A vivacious and beautiful place in our country of which I will always feel ties to. A city that still hosts many, many friends and a few close family members. Recently, Nashville has been struck by rains and flood waters that have left many of their residents, businesses, churches and most famous music venues destroyed, displaced, and disrupted. As the waters receded and the people of Nashville were able begin to access the damages - I have learned that they began to be overwhelmed by the support of their neighbors, who reached out to one another, in an effort to clean up, clean out, and move forward. Imagine it - volunteers working hard in the Volunteer State!

After getting an e-mail from my dear friend Natalie, who is also a former colleague, I was happy to know that she too was safe and sound. Although a few streets over, she soon relayed, some of her neighbors were not so lucky. In any event, Natalie is now taking in displaced Kitties who lost their homes and couldn't find their families during the flood. She is already a part of a foster program in her neighborhood that helps strays cats, by getting them to the vet and then finding them a permanent place to stay. But as you can imagine, now circumstances are a little bit different for pets in the area. Natalie does a lot for the community in general and has a lot of things going for her - she is a great person to know and will always do her part to help out… and that goes for Cats too! As a side note Natalie just named one of her recent foster kitties Dawson - I like it!

My Aunt Judy's home went untouched and all in the family were glad of that, she and the rest of my family seemed to have fared well.

Recently I had the opportunity to spend some time with a friend from Nashville who is working on a Documentary, and through that process it brought her through Texas. Being the avid facebooker that I am - that day I noticed that she had just uploaded a photo of Texas' Capitol building here in Austin - of which I work in. I quickly commented on the photo, reminding her that I was in Austin. Later that evening I had the privilege of spending time on Lady Bird Lake (on a bat tour), and having dinner with her, her lovely mother, Nancy, and some of her good friends. Stacie, who is a Jill* (rather than jack) of many trades produced a documentary depicting how hard the region, and her neighborhood of East Nashville had been hit. It was a tremendous piece and throughout the film I noticed how blessed people in Nashville felt. Even though many of them had lost everything - they were happy to be alive and happy to have been showered with so much love and support from their neighbors, friends, and family members. Here is a link to Stacie's film: What you didn't see! By Stacie Huckabe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Eu8qdsBvhk

Also, my good friend and fellow Kentucky Colonel, K.C. Winfrey, a teacher in the Nashville city school system, with his wife Gene`, and young son Aspen are also members of the East Nashville community. They, after feeling safe and sound at home quickly hit the streets to lend a helping hand to their neighbors, some I am sure they knew and many I bet they didn't. Just another story of not waiting around for someone else to help get the job done for you, but getting out and making sure it gets done. K.C. and Gene` are always looking for ways to improve this world that we live in and Nashville is better off to have them as a part of the whole.

As I said, I know many people in Nashville. Some that I have not yet talked to about their situation in regards to the recent flooding. I have seen the news coverage and last night I quietly watched the GAC Telethon where the halls were decked with celebrities. All there to raise money for the great city and the great people of Nashville. All the while my heart felt more tender knowing how kind the hearts have been in the streets and neighborhoods of my former home. Little looting has taken place and little complaining either - just a whole lot of hard work, sweat and tears. And to quote Will Hoge, who graced the stage last night as the telethons finale to sing "Washed in the Water," "Nashville is open for business!" His lyrics flowed with meaning and purpose when he sang: "Down here we're washed by the water, but they can't wash us away!"

Nashville has been hit hard folks, and they need any help that they can get. Check out Stacie's video and check out the The Community Foundation's website. If you can spare something - give - they need it! Lend a hand to our friends in Nashville by donating to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee at: http://www.cfmt.org/floodrelief/

Hang in there Nashville - you're loved - keep rocking!