The Morning After...

After watching the morning news and seeing the photos of yesterday's big storm--and its devastating aftermath--the old Maureen McGovern song "The Morning After" has been playing in my mind. I first heard it in the movie "Poseidon," about a sinking cruise ship.

There's got to be a morning after
If we can hold on through the night
We have a chance to find the sunshine
Let's keep on looking for the light

Oh, can't you see the morning after?
It's waiting right outside the storm
Why don't we cross the bridge together
And find a place that's safe and warm?

It's not too late, we should be giving
Only with love can we climb
It's not too late, not while we're living
Let's put our hands out in time

There's got to be a morning after
We're moving closer to the shore
I know we'll be there by tomorrow
And we'll escape the darkness
We won't be searching anymore

I have many friends from Yazoo City...most of them transplants to the Madison area. They are a fun, compassionate, tight group who have a strong bond to each other simply because of where they grew up. Yazoo City is a small town, where everybody knows everybody. With power out in most of the city, many of the Yazoo City folks in Madison and surrounding areas have opened up their homes as a temporary haven for those affected by the storm--not unlike the days following Hurricane Katrina. 

Mississippi's governor, Hailey Barbour, is a Yazoo City native, and was, in fact, in route to the town when the  tornado stormed through. It was touching to see him tear up on TV last night after reviewing the damage. "This is where I grew up," he said. "These are people I've known all my life."

The devastation was incredible. 

So this morning, folks around this area will do what we do best: we'll rally. I experienced it firsthand when Nicole had her accident. People came out of the woodwork to pray for her, to organize fundraisers, and to contribute to her medical fund. I think that's one of the things we do the best. Post Katrina, we rallied and did what we could do to help. After the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, we rallied to collect money for Red Cross. 

In churches across the state today, I'm sure special collections will be taken for the tornado victims. And certainly, prayers will go up...for the souls of those who did not survive, and for strength for those who did. 

That's one of the reasons I'm glad I live where I do. I love the consistent strength and compassion and generosity of the people here. 

And now, a programming message for those who have been waiting. Our last message from CBS producer Paige Kendig said that the profile story on Nicole will run MONDAY morning--tomorrow (4/26) in the Early Show. The show airs 7am to 9am central time, so set your DVR's! 

Blessings to all who read this!
Susan