A year ago today ...
It's hard not to reflect on what happened in my home town a year ago today.
I was preparing to leave on a Wednesday night, flying to Las Vegas for the Olympic Trials in freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman and Judo. It was a great assignment and one I would turn into a mini-vacation with my wife joining me a couple of days later. Our son also was set to arrive for a bachelor's party.
But a year ago today, I walked downtown with colleague Jeff Linder to watch the Cedar River rise toward the bridge. It was smacking the side of the bridge on Third Avenue. A few hours later, I walked back down after the bridge was closed.
I left for Vegas that night and, when I woke up in the morning, I had several missed calls, several messages telling me what happened in Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas. I switched on CNN and there, in my hotel on the famous Vegas strip, was my town under water.
Talk about feeling guilty, with the pleasure.
I did my job in Vegas, my wife joined me and I got to see my son for a few minutes. I got a lot of good work done, had a lot of fun, but I never will forget my friends and family struggling to keep their heads and businesses above water.
Some still struggle today.
So, with this little blurb of rememberance, I ask for you all also to not forget. Remember what happened here last June and help in any way possible, even if it's just picking up a hammer to nail some drywall.
This is a wonderful town, a wonderful community and it's people have - and will - survive.