Counting Blessings in a Winter Storm❄️☃️❄️

Nashville is having one of its worst winter storms in quite a while. When I started writing this at 11:30 last night, it was 13 degrees. Tonight, currently at 10:00 p.m., it’s 5.🥶 We’ve had a weekend of snow and ice.

Unfortunately, our washer and dryer are in the garage. I say “unfortunately” because our first year in this house, we lost the washer when its internal parts froze. The second year, one of our main pipes burst. The last several winters, we’ve been better prepared, and until this year the weather seemed calmer — not so harsh.

But this weekend has been one of the worst I’ve seen since moving to Nashville.

Friends and fellow club members have been sharing pictures of yards coated in ice and snow. Trees down on cars. One even had a tree fall on a family member’s house. Several are dealing with power outages.

As for us, we’ve been blessed. We have power. We haven’t had to go anywhere, so we haven’t dealt with the slippery roads.

On the other hand… our dogs are not fans of the icy ramp they have to use to go potty and we did loose a large part of a tree near the driveway. But we still have the tree.

We have plenty of food to last for several days — for the humans, the dogs, and even the outdoor critters (yes, I bought bird food too).

We’re doing okay. I don’t have to worry about driving Monday or probably Tuesday, since my appointments have all been rescheduled. I’m hoping the roads will be cleared by Wednesday… or at least by Thursday.

I’m not complaining. I’m actually feeling grateful — for heat, food, electricity, and a home.

But we need to remember those who are not as fortunate. Those without homes. Without food. Without power. Those living on the streets.

I know not everyone can physically or financially help others. But there are still ways to help.

Here are a few:

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1. Volunteer

• Soup kitchens
• Shelters
• Animal shelters
• Churches

2. Check on Others

• Call elderly neighbors
• Knock on doors of those who might need help
• Offer to pick up groceries
• Message people just to check in

3. Gather & Pass Along Free Items

• Socks
• Gloves
• Blankets

You don’t have to buy — just redistribute.
Ask friends or family if they have extras. Check local “Buy Nothing” groups. Pick up free items and deliver them to shelters or individuals.

4. Advocate — Your Voice Is a Tool

• Share posts about local needs
• Support policies that help with housing and utilities
• Boost fundraisers, even if you can’t donate
• Report unsafe conditions if someone is in danger from exposure

Awareness turns into aid.

5. Be a Connector

• Look up warming shelters, food banks, clothing closets, and crisis lines
• Share information on social media
• Print resource lists and post them on community boards
• Tell people directly when you see someone struggling

6. Offer Practical Help

• Drive someone to a shelter, warming center, or food pantry
• Help elderly neighbors bring in firewood
• Clear snow from sidewalks or driveways for seniors or disabled neighbors
• Help someone fill out assistance forms or online applications

Winter help is often physical help.

7. Encouragement Matters

• Write encouraging notes shelters can hand out
• Send supportive messages online
• Tell someone, “You matter. I’m glad you’re here.”
• Leave positive sticky notes in places someone might need a smile

Hope keeps people going longer than we realize.

8. Treat People With Kindness

• Make eye contact
• Smile
• Use kind words
• Ask, “Are you staying warm?”
• Learn someone’s name if you see them regularly

Dignity is a basic need we often forget.

9. Notice the Quiet Strugglers

• Single parents
• Seniors on fixed incomes
• Disabled neighbors
• People who have recently lost jobs

Just ask, because hey probably won’t.

I know I’m someone who dislikes asking for help. I’ve suffered in silence before. With the help of loved ones, I’ve learned to ask when I truly need to — though it’s still hard. So check on people gently. You never know what they’re carrying.

Stay safe. Stay warm. And warm your days with love, hugs, laughter, and blessings.

Hugs and goodnight.🤗