10/03/2024
I still don’t have the words for all I’ve been witnessing from afar for the last few days. Up until now, Hurricane Wilma was the worst storm I’ve ever personally experienced. The heart sinking feeling of not knowing if your loved ones have been swept away by a landslide is a feeling I hope to never have to experience again.
I’m only a Floridian because my grandmother came down here in 1940 from Roxboro, NC because she wanted to be a city girl lol. Before then, my family had been farming in NC & VA since 1600. Yes, seriously, 1600. The mountains are in my blood. My childhood summer vacations were spent driving all over the state visiting loved ones. Over the years, many more of my friends and family have moved up there, and I eventually planned to follow. This is a photo of a dream come true. Being able to take my dog Sammy, up to the top of Max Patch. My favorite place on earth.
The town of Asheville that I’ve known and loved for the last 16 years has been totally destroyed. My heart breaks for these people. But there’s one thing I know for sure, and that’s the strength and resilience of the Appalachian people. They will support each other. They will give to each other. And they will build this community back like never before. I will do everything in my power to help them.
Please bear with me in the upcoming months, as I will be going back and forth to help my uncle, friends, and the surrounding community. Thank you all again so much for your unwavering support. It means so so much to my family and I ❤️🩹🫂🫶🐾