Through the years, there have been tornado’s and flooding that ripped through South Dakota. Rivers and creeks only a few feet across, turned into yards and even miles.
Streets that normally would be busy with people going back and forth to work get shut off completely.
There are places in the world that this could cause hysteria.
Since I was a kid growing up I seen this time and time again. Tragedy hits. Life gives people a right turn. Since I have seen it so many times, it would be easy to take it for granted. South Dakotan’s help one another.
Through the timelines on Facebook, news, and in person you can see South Dakotan’s band together. Some friends and family. While others just trying to help.
We have all seen someone get sick or become unable to take care of themselves. Almost without question, local communities step up and help them.
What’s their motivation? What’s their purpose? Do they get anything out of it? The answer is simply no. They do it because they hate the suffering. They do it because they care about others. They do it because it’s ingrained in them to do so.
It could be shrugged off that this is something that just happens. It could be something that people presume happens everywhere. It doesn’t.
I talked to someone that had moved into South Dakota. He said one of the first things he noticed, is how every one waved at them. Even though they didn’t have a clue who he was.
You don’t have to look far to see neighbors helping each other out because they broke their leg. Or an elderly couple who just needs a hand bringing in groceries. Or maybe just someone giving a friendly smile and a wave.
In a world that seems to be ruled with hate, discrimination, and suffering there are a lot of people from outside that seem to have a hard time believing a place like this exists. There might even be a few that say it’s to good to be true or suspect that these people want something. This is almost never the case. For sure, not everyone is helpful or friendly. This isn’t a majority though.
Maybe this was how we were meant to live? Maybe this is a glimpse of the way things should be everywhere? Or maybe things aren’t quite as bad as some make the world to be.
South Dakota has something very special it should never lose. A spirit that pulls people in.
There will be some that criticize me when I say this. That say not everyone is like that. And they would be right. Some people are not concerned with anyone but themselves. But don’t mistake the few for the majority.
So when you’re here, smile a little bit. Help out when you can. Make things a little brighter. It could make someone’s life just a little brighter as well as yours. Until next time.