Thoughts for Pondering

The flood of volunteers that typically overtakes the city of New Orleans during spring break has not disappointed in 2011.  As I drive down the road I see multiple homes being restored and rebuilt by the generosity, sweat, and love of volunteers.  The home across the street from my office had volunteers working inside and outside last week.  When I passed them on Friday they were cheering and clapping- no doubt celebrating the accomplishment of bringing a home-owner much much closer to being back in their home.  Not just their house... their home.  Maybe they were the ones to put the finishing touches on the house and were handing the keys over to the homeowner.  Now that is definitely something to celebrate.  I wonder who that homeowner is.  I'm sure they have a story to tell- everyone does you know.  Not just stories about their experience through hurricane Katrina, but about their lives before and after.  I hope the volunteers were able to hear those stories.  They may have rebuilt a home, but they have made an impact on more than just the hurricane aftermath chapter of the homeowner's life.  The effects of their kindness will carry on through the rest of the homeowner's life.