Our response to a natural disaster

It's hard to know what to say about the events of the past week. My mind is struggling with the enormity of the devestation and the journey that lies ahead. I'm overwhelmed with a feeling of helplessness and sorrow for our friends, our nation and especially our sisters in Phi Mu. Unlike any time on our history, it's time to put personal agendas and political opinions aside and work as a team to save our fellow citizens.

There will be time to analyze and criticize the response to the disaster. We have history to thank for giving us time and perspective on this as the months and years roll along. It's tempting to be political and angry at whatever forces we think are responsible for the Chaos. But the truth is that life is full of challenges, sorrow and shining moments of joy amidst the events in our world. The best we can do is rise to the heights of what we are capable of and do the things we can to try and help our fellow man ( woman).

For me, I expect to find myself working in the Mississippi/NO area for State Farm in the coming days. I'm actually scared ( not something I experience often to be honest) to pack my car and travel without any promise of gas and food to get home. I have no guarantee of a place to sleep while I am away. But one of the State Farm agents in New orleans is living out of a suitcase, has not home, no office and is sinking into depression. I can drive to his location, put my arms around him and tell him that while I can't make everything okay, I can give him a chance to help his own family and head up his office operation for a few days while he manages his personal affairs. It's what I know how to do.

I have given money to Phi Mu Foundation for the heart and hand fund. I have given to the Red cross. I am trying to do the small things I believe are within my control to manage my own stress over the events at hand. Somehow it helps me feel like I have a focus, at least temporarily. I would urge each and every one of you to do the same- reach out to your church, your community and Phi Mu and see where you can help.

If you want to lead an effort, you may need to learn how to follow. If you want to follow, you may need to overcome your fear and learn how to lead. If you have no money to give, you may need to be creative and find a way to raise funds to help others. If you feel you have too many problems of your own, you may need to find perspective and set aside one or two things in order to find the time and concentration to help. In other words, while reaching out to others now is overwhelming and personally difficult, you may need to alter your personal vision and shift paradigms about your role in the world. And I guarantee you one thing will be true in the end: You will not ever be the same, and you will have learned more than you can imagine.

I would love to hear from each of you the things that you are doing individually, corporately and within your communities to effect positive change for those who are homeless and have lost all that is dear to them. I know as Phi Mu women we are capable of making a huge difference because we see things in our sisterhood that makes us bond together to work toward the commmon good. It's a tight bond. In fact, I believe it can withstand the biggest natural disaster and the worst personal tragedy because it is based in faith and love for each other. Love never dies, never ends and always gives openly and generously.

I want to thank Jennifer Stanik for her inspired gift card suggestion. I want to thank Shannon Snow for her phone call to me the other day to suggest and ebay garage sale to raise funds for Heart and Hand. I want to thank the sister in Florida who is willing to donate a size 8 petite business suit to one of our area collegiate directors who lost everything in her apartment. And I want to thank each of YOU~ each and every one of you~ for what you are about to do for others. I do love you all, far beyond what I ever imagined when I gave my oath of allegiance almost 27 years ago.

Audrey Jankucic
State Farm Agent
Beta Psi 1979