I'm sitting in bed, one dog sleeping between my legs, the other cuddled up on my right side. I'm surrounded by pink wallpaper, pictures of country music legends, and there's outlines of cowboy boots in the colorful carpet around the room. Out the large window is an amazing view of Tennessee's capital building and part of the Nashville skyline, it's beautiful, especially covered in sparkling white - but that ice is why we're here.
It's a strange feeling being in a beautiful hotel room, one you'd usually feel so relaxed in and love to have a staycation in, but feeling so uncomfortable and out of place.
We've been here for two days now, and just extended for two more. It's become a little community of others displaced from their homes. Instead of the usual groups in matching outfits, bachelorette parties hootin' and hollerin' as they pass through the lobby - it's families bundled up in whatever they likely left their homes in - large puffy coats, sweatpants, beanies(or toboggans as they say in Tennessee) and winter boots - surrounded by kids running around and barking dogs - lots of barking dogs(mine included).
I've gotten used to seeing the same people on the elevator, we have the same dog potty outings - trying to find a spot outside that's not an ice rink where our dogs will actually go to the bathroom. We've learned some of each others names, what part of town we live in, how long we'll likely be here - and we all say the same thing "I just hope to get home soon."
While we all share the same wish to be back home - we also know we're lucky to be able to afford a room in the city for multiple nights - while so many of our neighbors cannot.
I'm certainly not a Nashville native - but I moved to Nashville in 2018 - and feel by this time I've seen a good amount of storms and weather events. I moved here to take a job as a news anchor and reporter - through that job I covered a lot; snow storms, tornadoes, including the big one that came through in March of 2020. I've seen the destruction first hand and talked to so many people impacted by it. Driving around for the first time today - really going through the neighborhoods - I agree with so many others - this has brought some of the worst destruction I've seen in Nashville. There are so many trees down on homes, in roads, on power lines - and then all the disruption unseen from the streets but happening in people's homes - as they struggle to keep going with no power and temps dipping well below freezing every night.
I've been watching news reports and checking in with my neighborhood Facebook pages seeing so many post - "when will this end" or "I just can't stop crying I'm so cold." I was feeling so overwhelmed last night with the want to help everyone in comments section and brainstorming what I could even do. I see so many feeling the same way - wanting to help and just unsure where to start.
When it all feels too big - think small. Last night I booked a car rental for this morning, my car is currently stuck at my home on a hill - which is covered in ice - and I texted my neighbors to see how I could help them - as many can't leave. A few texted back with errands that would help or items I could bring. Now I didn't decide to write this post just to say, look I helped some people - I wanted to write this post as a starting point for others. We can feel so overwhelmed with all the stories and posts of people looking for help - and then end up not doing anything because we don't know where to begin. I think the best place to start is just with a few people you know - check in with those people, see what they need, and give what you're able to provide - even if that's just the comfort of a conversation. If all of us who are able, could just help a few people in our circles - we will touch so many.
I choose to call Nashville home because I love the people in this community. Southern hospitality is real. I've never been invited into so many homes and been offered help without anything in return. I love how in every event whether big or small people come together - help their neighbors, no questions asked. I know this storm is no different.
Help how you can. Love each other. I hope we're all safely in our homes soon.
