Today was all about giving and being thankful.   We had a great comment from Alison at Global Giving (see comments) regarding my post yesterday and The Donators, made even better by the fact that she tweeted about them later in the day to 25,000 of GG’s followers on Twitter.  Which prompted me to get an account (@greenmangoes)  and Maya to open one for their group (@thedonators).   They’ve already had emails with inquiries as to how to contribute to their current campaign for Heifer International, so in that regard – great day!

However, news of yet more devastating tornadoes in Missouri was punctuated this evening by a call from my Mom.   They’d just had a severe storm with high winds (they live in southern Indiana), and although it wasn’t a tornado, it did manage to rip apart a tree that stands next to their house.   The bad news is that their back porch, TV antenna and Direct TV dish are destroyed.  The good news is that it missed the house itself, breaking no windows, though their view out the back is now completely obscured by the fallen tree.      Positive points?  No one was injured, no windows or doors broken, the main part of their house is intact, and they are going to have a ton of firewood for the winter!

Still, this brings home the need for generosity.    Maya and her friends have up until now looked overseas for ways and people to help.    Now they see first hand how much need there is here as well.   My cousin Susan sent me an email this evening – she and her husband are heading to Alabama on their second trip to help people still struggling there in the aftermath of the massive tornadoes that ripped through Tuscaloosa.    A few weeks later, because of yesterday’s events, they’ll be heading to Joplin.

The point is there is always a way to help.  I’m thankful that my parents’ house only sustained minor damage when compared to families in Alabama and Missouri and that no one was injured.   I’m thankful for kids who look around the world and want to do good, instead of thinking only of themselves.    If we can all see with those eyes, and pay attention to the need before it strikes too close to home, the world will be a better place.