EDITORIAL: The times that try our souls

Jan. 08--To borrow a phrase from Thomas Paine, these are the times that try our souls.

Albany and other parts of Southwest Georgia and southeast Alabama are enduring the worst natural disaster in the area since the 1990s floods. Unlike the floods, however, there was little lead-up time to prepare for these extremely high winds and tornadoes that barreled through the region Monday night, and no way of knowing exactly when and where they would strike.

Winds touching an incredible 90 mph toppled trees, damaged and, in many cases, destroyed homes and autos, blocked access to whole neighborhoods and disrupted power. Thousands were still in the dark this weekend as more rain followed by freezing temperatures rolled in. Hoping for an improvement over the man-made turmoil of 2016, we have been greeted by nature's fury in 2017.

What may be the most remarkable result of this event is that, so far, it has not been deadlier. Four deaths in Alabama and two in Georgia have been associated with the powerful storm system. Even one death is one too many, but looking at the devastation and the swiftness of the assault by nature, it could have taken many more of our loved ones, friends and neighbors.

Even with the darkest of tragedies there is some light. It has been heartening to see people, a great many of them suffering damage and without power, jumping in to help others. Volunteers, both locally and from other places, have rolled up their sleeves and gone to work, helping accelerate the recovery process. Public safety, public works and utilities personnel have been working unbelievably long hours, trying to keep areas safe and return them to some sense of normalcy as quickly as possible. People have provided victims meals and places to stay, and organizations have opened shelters for those still without power. Government officials have directed and coordinated efforts, and insurance officials have been out in force to move the recovery process along.

Not everything has gone perfectly, but with the enormity of this disaster, it has gone about as well as could be expected. That is little solace to those who are without power or who are out of their homes, finding their financial resources dwindling with each passing day. There have been cries of anguish from those who believe they have been forgotten.

They haven't. A disaster of this magnitude, however, demonstrates just how powerful nature is. Humans, with all our ingenuity, ability, resources and technology, pale in comparison. We cannot overcome it, only pick up the pieces and try as hard as we can to recover.

And that is where we are now. These destructive winds came in an instant, but getting the affected people and places whole again will take time. Recovery will not come immediately, it will be a marathon in some respects. Yet, as time passes and people understandably long for life to return to normal, nerves become frayed and patience is tested. Fatigue sets in, both with victims and those trying to help them.

We would all do well to step back and try to realize what others are going through.

This recovery will take time and it will move slower then we want, but it will come. In many respects, the weeks and months that follow will test us much more severely than the immediate crisis did. What is needed are empathy and understanding, kindness and caring. We need unity, and a good solid dose of love your neighbor like yourself wouldn't hurt.

Our souls, as Paine observed, are being tried, and some day in the future, we will know the verdict. Let's do all we can to ensure it is one in which we can reflect and say we acquitted ourselves well.

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