Perspective

Regarding “Harvey’s a menace” (Page A1, Friday), Mother Nature has a way of stopping human squabbles in their tracks, and putting things into perspective. Whether Republican or Democrat, black or white, here legally or not, South Texans are hunkering down to weather hurricane Harvey.

Now is a good time to remember that our similarities far outnumber our differences. We all wait in prayer, hoping our loved ones, friends, communities, pets and possessions will survive this storm. While spending the next few days indoors, it’s a good time to do some spring cleaning: Those old clothes may truly help someone whose house flooded, and those extra towels and blankets will be gratefully accepted by a local animal shelter. Your time and resources will likely be a blessing to a local wildlife center, who will undoubtedly be overflowing with injured/ orphaned wildlife.

It’s also a time to remember our patience and kindness. Your neighborhood might not end up flooded, but your newspaper delivery person may live in an area that’s underwater. The same goes for your Amazon Prime package that’s late in arriving, your garbage that isn’t picked up, your mail that isn’t delivered.

Mother Nature has given us a “pause,” stopping our ridiculously overloaded schedules and cancelling all the appointments we once thought were an absolute must. Let’s take this time and use it well.

Susan Ellis Brittain, Houston