TX Flood - Firsthand Stories - No Politics/Blame

[Anonymous]

I read this sad but beautiful firsthand account and thought I would share it. I thought we could share others we find as they slowly emerge. If you are not interested, feel free to keep scrolling.

Please keep the politics and Monday-morning quarterbacking to the thread in the Politics forum.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-flood-firsthand-account/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLeXppleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFlTndDdkMybXRVZXBibVZ1AR4MDx8YNRNsmCeex3pAngdYqM4xEDQXug6VR2awTm1WrHkRT0jdlhSMZ0Apow_aem_bcfmekcwH1V6YdDkDEasnQ

[Anonymous]

Out of curiosity, why would you want to read about other's misfortunes? Especially of people you don't know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Out of curiosity, why would you want to read about other's misfortunes? Especially of people you don't know.

I find the courage, bravery, survival skills, and kindness of others uplifting. We can’t control what bad things happen to us. We can control how we react, and how we support our fellow neighbors.

[Anonymous]

Texas Monthly has the best writing.

This was a beautiful piece. Anyone who is strong enough should read it. Don’t read it near your children if you have kids. It’s intense but I am grateful that the author explained to us what it was really like. More stories like this will help erase the rumors and blame and other things people have been throwing around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Out of curiosity, why would you want to read about other's misfortunes? Especially of people you don't know.

The person who wrote this account wants you to read it and to know their story. But sure, you go ahead and keep telling yourself that turning away makes you a superior person. Thanks for sharing this, OP.

[Anonymous]

I thought this was one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever read, and the person who is saying they don’t understand why you should read it has no empathy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought this was one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever read, and the person who is saying they don’t understand why you should read it has no empathy.

I think they do and are afraid of being too overwhelmed. That can happen as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought this was one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever read, and the person who is saying they don’t understand why you should read it has no empathy.

Wow, that’s really not fair and, ironically shows a lack of empathy of you. You have no idea why pp may find it odd someone would choose to read about someone’s worst day of their life. Maybe they lost someone close to them recently. Maybe they view it as morbid curiosity - and I think that’s totally reasonable given the extensive loss of life. Whatever the case, you calling them out for a lack of empathy is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Did anyone else feel like Clay's death was kind of glossed over?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone else feel like Clay's death was kind of glossed over?

I didn’t. Everyone in that family has heartbreak and anguish over Clay’s death, but it’s nothing short of miraculous that all 6 of the rest of them survived without serious physical injuries, including a septuagenarian and a 4 year old. I think the author is acutely aware that many local families have suffered a loss at least equal to his family’s, and he’s trying to tell a balanced story about the tragedy and the triumph his family has experienced. It sounds like Clay’s mom has been distraught enough that she was sedated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone else feel like Clay's death was kind of glossed over?

Yes. I agree it was well written and conveyed the horror and reality of the flood. I thought it glossed over that with four adult men present it was the lone woman/mom who was left trying to protect BOTH kids and to keep all three of them alive. I thought it glossed over that while it was beginning she was trying to keep the kids on the counter, the dad/husband was holding the sliding door, and the author and his husband were doing what? Why didn’t one of them help protect the kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone else feel like Clay's death was kind of glossed over?

Yes. I agree it was well written and conveyed the horror and reality of the flood. I thought it glossed over that with four adult men present it was the lone woman/mom who was left trying to protect BOTH kids and to keep all three of them alive. I thought it glossed over that while it was beginning she was trying to keep the kids on the counter, the dad/husband was holding the sliding door, and the author and his husband were doing what? Why didn’t one of them help protect the kids?

I had this thought too and I definitely got the impression that the writer is hanging onto some guilt over it. I just don’t think any of them understood what was really going to happen.

Anyway, that was a completely gut wrenching read as a parent. And it prompted me to talk to my husband about an emergency plan where we are each responsible for one kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Out of curiosity, why would you want to read about other's misfortunes? Especially of people you don't know.

I find the courage, bravery, survival skills, and kindness of others uplifting. We can’t control what bad things happen to us. We can control how we react, and how we support our fellow neighbors.

+ 1 million

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Out of curiosity, why would you want to read about other's misfortunes? Especially of people you don't know.

The person who wrote this account wants you to read it and to know their story. But sure, you go ahead and keep telling yourself that turning away makes you a superior person. Thanks for sharing this, OP.

But why? And why so soon after? Questions to ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Out of curiosity, why would you want to read about other's misfortunes? Especially of people you don't know.

The person who wrote this account wants you to read it and to know their story. But sure, you go ahead and keep telling yourself that turning away makes you a superior person. Thanks for sharing this, OP.

But why? And why so soon after? Questions to ask.

Because he’s a journalist, and bearing witness is what they do.