I am happy to be among your first readers tonight, Mr. Hubbell. Thank you for the shift to what is happening to our fellow citizens and our fellow human beings. I would add only Puerto Rico to a place that needs our mindfulness.
I will sleep better tonight for having read your newsletter.
I have been reading not just about Puerto Rico and Florida, but also about all the men fleeing Russia to avoid war, the tearing apart of families. So much sadness in the world. May the storms, both environmental and political, change us into a kinder, more compassionate people.
The pain of our great cleaving in America pales in comparison to the anguish that is felt across Florida tonight. For now I can only think of offering the text of the Hashkiveinu prayer, uttered before bedtime. It really envisions the Divine as a guide and shelter during the night ahead and praises the Divine for watching over us, delivering us, and being merciful. There’s something profoundly comforting about the basic human terms in which this prayer speaks -- may it comfort those who need it most tonight and in the weeks ahead.
Grant, O God, that we lie down in peace, and raise us up, our Guardian, to life renewed. Spread over us the shelter of Your peace. Guide us with Your good counsel; for Your Name’s sake, be our help. Shield and shelter us beneath the shadow of Your wings. Defend us against enemies, illness, war, famine and sorrow. Distance us from wrongdoing. For You, God, watch over us and deliver us. For You, God, are gracious and merciful. Guard our going and coming, to life and to peace evermore.
Thanks for your uplifting message tonight! I was struck with how gracious President Biden was in reassuring the Governor and people of Florida that the United States of America will be there for them. No petty or vindictive nonsense—just a President being there for the people he serves.
Robert, Your heartfelt comments are certainly welcome to Scott and I this evening. We are awaiting Ian‘s arrival in Orange County/Orlando. It has been raining all day and we have emptied the pool three times. The storm is moving so slow, I fear the rain & flooding. Since we don’t know if we’ll lose power during the night I made a pot of coffee for the morning even cold it will taste good. I will let you know in the morning how things go. Thank you for your grace & kindness. Hugs to all, Susan Windmiller
Thank you, Robert and Jill, for your caring message. A wealthy, democratic country like ours can protect and heal and restore us as needed. History shows that authoritarian regimes lack the desire to take on external crises, like a Hurricane Ian. Tragically, it's likely that DeSantis's anti-government rants will resume as soon as he gets all the federal aid and other resources he wants for Florida. Even as we send good wishes to Floridians and donate to aid organizations, we must remain mindful that America's future depends on mutual trust, generosity, decency, and respect.
I lived through the Columbus Day storm in the Pacific Northwest in October of 1962. The winds hit 145 miles an hour. I was on my way home riding in my Grandfather‘s company car, he worked for the power company, and it was his job to keep the radio communication system up and running across Western Washington from the Canadian border south to Oregon. The storm hit our location an hour before it was expected, leaving me a terrified 13-year-old. There was massive destruction from the wind and rain. The island I lived on lost all electric power for two weeks, and restoring power to my family home took two more weeks to get power. My father's life depended on keeping his insulin cold so it would not spoil. The unknown people who gave precious cold storage space for insulin saved the lives of all the diabetics on the island. The winds of Ian rattle my bones fifty years later. God bless you and keep you in this time of trial such that you lose not things eternal.
A very good decision, Robert. As a survivor of Hurricane Andrew in 1992 (and a few others), I am well aware of the pain and devastation a Category 4 or 5 hurricane can cause. Miami itself didn't get the brunt of Andrew, but south Miami-Dade County did, and it was pure devastation. Unimaginable. Your readers can read about the details - the numbers. I can tell you about volunteers filling buses to help. The 82nd Airborne was there. Strong young men giving people blankets. . . making small packets of laundry detergent from the huge container. The donations of food and toiletries coming in from all around the country, as we could see from some of the affixed address labels. One lady even sent a carefully wrapped white lace handkerchief. There was no category for that loveliness, so we just placed it in a prominent location to remind us all of normalcy - beauty and, most of all, thoughtfulness. At one point, I remember having to find a private place to just finally cry. Sob, actually. It was just all too much. The government and the people brought it back, and with stricter building codes, but the horror will never be forgotten. My heart is wholly with the people who are going through this terrifying ordeal now. Yes, you will rebuild. Many of us right here will help you. And, yes, you, too, will always remember. - Safe but sad in Miami Springs
Thanks Robert & Jill for your connection to our common humanity and cares for all in the path of Hurricane Ian. We really are all on this planet together
Interesting that you mention “the common good”. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. It seems like our worst loss over the last 40 years. Not sure how or if we’ll get it back; but, I’m so glad Biden’s our president.
I have been in touch with several friends and family in Florida-progressives and conservatives alike. President Biden did not bat an eyelash, when Governor DeSantis sent him a formal request for assistance. Indeed, federal aid was poised and ready to head to Florida, even before the governor's request. No genuine human being would hesitate to help, at such a time as this.
My son and family in Sarasota lost power at 1 pm. They live inland 15 miles so I expect the greatest dangers are wind and the foot of rain predicted. And how slowly the storm is moving. I am very worried and I know he can’t be in touch.
I am happy to be among your first readers tonight, Mr. Hubbell. Thank you for the shift to what is happening to our fellow citizens and our fellow human beings. I would add only Puerto Rico to a place that needs our mindfulness.
I will sleep better tonight for having read your newsletter.
I have been reading not just about Puerto Rico and Florida, but also about all the men fleeing Russia to avoid war, the tearing apart of families. So much sadness in the world. May the storms, both environmental and political, change us into a kinder, more compassionate people.
The pain of our great cleaving in America pales in comparison to the anguish that is felt across Florida tonight. For now I can only think of offering the text of the Hashkiveinu prayer, uttered before bedtime. It really envisions the Divine as a guide and shelter during the night ahead and praises the Divine for watching over us, delivering us, and being merciful. There’s something profoundly comforting about the basic human terms in which this prayer speaks -- may it comfort those who need it most tonight and in the weeks ahead.
הַשְׁכִּיבֵֽנוּ, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽנוּ, לְשָׁלוֹם, וְהַעֲמִידֵנוּ שׁוֹמְרֵֽנוּ לְחַיִּים, וּפְרֹשׂ עָלֵֽנוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶֽךָ, וְתַקְּנֵֽנוּ בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָה מִלְּפָנֶֽךָ, וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶךָ. וְהָגֵן בַּעֲדֵֽנוּ, וְהָסֵר מֵעָלֵֽינוּ אוֹיֵב, דֶּֽבֶר, וְחֶֽרֶב, וְרָעָב, וְיָגוֹן, וְהָרְחֵק מִמֶּֽנּוּ עָוֹן וָפֶֽשַׁע. וּבְצֵל כְּנָפֶֽיךָ תַּסְתִּירֵֽנוּ, כִּי אֵל שׁוֹמְרֵֽנוּ וּמַצִּילֵֽנוּ אָֽתָּה, כִּי אֵל חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם אָֽתָּה. וּשְׁמֹר צֵאתֵֽנוּ וּבוֹאֵֽנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשָׁלֹם מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, שׁוֹמֵר עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַד.
Grant, O God, that we lie down in peace, and raise us up, our Guardian, to life renewed. Spread over us the shelter of Your peace. Guide us with Your good counsel; for Your Name’s sake, be our help. Shield and shelter us beneath the shadow of Your wings. Defend us against enemies, illness, war, famine and sorrow. Distance us from wrongdoing. For You, God, watch over us and deliver us. For You, God, are gracious and merciful. Guard our going and coming, to life and to peace evermore.
Thanks for your uplifting message tonight! I was struck with how gracious President Biden was in reassuring the Governor and people of Florida that the United States of America will be there for them. No petty or vindictive nonsense—just a President being there for the people he serves.
Robert, Your heartfelt comments are certainly welcome to Scott and I this evening. We are awaiting Ian‘s arrival in Orange County/Orlando. It has been raining all day and we have emptied the pool three times. The storm is moving so slow, I fear the rain & flooding. Since we don’t know if we’ll lose power during the night I made a pot of coffee for the morning even cold it will taste good. I will let you know in the morning how things go. Thank you for your grace & kindness. Hugs to all, Susan Windmiller
Seconding Robert’s (and Jill’s)well wishes to anyone from Florida who is reading this. We are holding you in our thoughts. 🙏🙏🙏
Mother Earth is trying to tell us something. Hopefully we won’t need too many more reminders that all of us must be part of the change we need.
Thank you, Robert and Jill, for your caring message. A wealthy, democratic country like ours can protect and heal and restore us as needed. History shows that authoritarian regimes lack the desire to take on external crises, like a Hurricane Ian. Tragically, it's likely that DeSantis's anti-government rants will resume as soon as he gets all the federal aid and other resources he wants for Florida. Even as we send good wishes to Floridians and donate to aid organizations, we must remain mindful that America's future depends on mutual trust, generosity, decency, and respect.
I lived through the Columbus Day storm in the Pacific Northwest in October of 1962. The winds hit 145 miles an hour. I was on my way home riding in my Grandfather‘s company car, he worked for the power company, and it was his job to keep the radio communication system up and running across Western Washington from the Canadian border south to Oregon. The storm hit our location an hour before it was expected, leaving me a terrified 13-year-old. There was massive destruction from the wind and rain. The island I lived on lost all electric power for two weeks, and restoring power to my family home took two more weeks to get power. My father's life depended on keeping his insulin cold so it would not spoil. The unknown people who gave precious cold storage space for insulin saved the lives of all the diabetics on the island. The winds of Ian rattle my bones fifty years later. God bless you and keep you in this time of trial such that you lose not things eternal.
A very good decision, Robert. As a survivor of Hurricane Andrew in 1992 (and a few others), I am well aware of the pain and devastation a Category 4 or 5 hurricane can cause. Miami itself didn't get the brunt of Andrew, but south Miami-Dade County did, and it was pure devastation. Unimaginable. Your readers can read about the details - the numbers. I can tell you about volunteers filling buses to help. The 82nd Airborne was there. Strong young men giving people blankets. . . making small packets of laundry detergent from the huge container. The donations of food and toiletries coming in from all around the country, as we could see from some of the affixed address labels. One lady even sent a carefully wrapped white lace handkerchief. There was no category for that loveliness, so we just placed it in a prominent location to remind us all of normalcy - beauty and, most of all, thoughtfulness. At one point, I remember having to find a private place to just finally cry. Sob, actually. It was just all too much. The government and the people brought it back, and with stricter building codes, but the horror will never be forgotten. My heart is wholly with the people who are going through this terrifying ordeal now. Yes, you will rebuild. Many of us right here will help you. And, yes, you, too, will always remember. - Safe but sad in Miami Springs
Thanks Robert & Jill for your connection to our common humanity and cares for all in the path of Hurricane Ian. We really are all on this planet together
Interesting that you mention “the common good”. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. It seems like our worst loss over the last 40 years. Not sure how or if we’ll get it back; but, I’m so glad Biden’s our president.
I have been in touch with several friends and family in Florida-progressives and conservatives alike. President Biden did not bat an eyelash, when Governor DeSantis sent him a formal request for assistance. Indeed, federal aid was poised and ready to head to Florida, even before the governor's request. No genuine human being would hesitate to help, at such a time as this.
Thank you for always focusing our attention on what is most important.
My son and family in Sarasota lost power at 1 pm. They live inland 15 miles so I expect the greatest dangers are wind and the foot of rain predicted. And how slowly the storm is moving. I am very worried and I know he can’t be in touch.
Let us not forget our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico.