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During the big flood of 98 in Texas, I was at work where I managed a store. The store was 1/8th of a mile from the Guadalupe River. I ended up getting STUCK in my store for three long days. When the phone lines came back up, the company headquarters told me to eat what I wanted out of the store and not to worry about the bill, but to write everything down and they would take care of everything.

At the time, I had no clue what was going on in the outside world. When the water went down, I opened the store doors. I had police officers, paramedics, fire men, and people from all over streaming into my store.

One lady came in the store in tears. Her whole life was washed away with the waters. I felt so horrible for her. At the time, I was separated from my own family and had been feeling sorry for myself. But when I was able to talk to my children, and find out my home and family were safe, I decided to do something to help out, even though I was stuck in the store.

One of my favorite customers had come in and I told her about some of the needy people who were needing things and before I knew it, folks were dropping off clothing and shoes by the the trash bags full at my stores door.

I had no way of moving this stuff, so when someone needed shoes....they got shoes, when they needed a blanket, they took blankets. It was like a huge FREE garage sale. My heart started to change when I noticed that people who were in a bad situation themselves, began to pitch in and help out. It really made me proud of that community and the love that people can show when faced with a tragedy and a devastation as that.

I was eventually fired from that job, not from something I did, but because of immature gossip and hatefulness. But, that is water under the bridge...and I have forgiven it.

Learn more about this author, Grace Olivia Nordberg.
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