On May 15^th, a tornado destroyed an entire housing development in our community. Six people lost their lives.  There were numerous injuries that evening too.  Needless to say life in our community has not been the same since 8:00 p.m. on the 15^th.  All of us have been working extra hours to make sure the immediate needs of victims are met.  I have learned so much in the past ten days!  If the truth be known, I have learned a few things about human nature…

If you asked me what you can do for people that are deeply involved in a relief effort, I think I could generate a decent list. But my friends from Racine, Wisconsin did something for me that I would have never thought of in a million years!  O&H Bakery in Racineis known for its famed Danish pastry known as “Kringle.” The bakery ships these delicacies nationwide everyday.  Yesterday when I arrived home there was a box of three Kringles.  (Cherry, Cinnamon Roll, and Turtle flavors). A card accompanied the box signed by my fellow class of 1980 friends.

I can now add another thing to my list of what to do for people serving others during an extended crisis.  Do something that is a little bit frivolous. (Kringle is a once a year treat around our house at Christmas.) And do something that symbolizes your relationship with that person.  Kringle is a unique delicacy to the city of Racine, where I went to school through the 7^th grade. Receiving something that symbolized our common city was really special. 

My lesson about human nature today is: People are generous, but people are also creative in such gestures.  Such creativity is intensely personal and reflective of the beauty of friendship.  Today I feel refreshed and fortified.  And I maybe bouncing off the walls from the sugar in the Kringle before the day is out….