presidential inspiration

Travis stopped through and offered me the chance to go down to Gulfport, MS with him to help him film this weekend. He’s working on a documentary piece about a man named Pat Smith who was Habitat for Humanity’s 2004 volunteer of the year. Some of you may remember hearing about an airplane that took off on the wrong runway in Lexington, KY this year. The plane subsequently crashed, killing 49 of 50 people on board, and Pat Smith was one of the passengers on board. He was actually on his way back down to Gulfport where he was heavily involved in the building of a number of Habitat house’s for families who had lost their home during Katrina.

Why is it that bad things happen to good people? Perhaps good and bad are not so clear cut, on any frontier. Whatever the reason, it seems to be that when bad things do happen to good people, the most powerful lessons are learned. Go figure. In the wake of tragedy, goodness has the potential to rush in and fill that space. In the case of Pat Smith, and the dedication of these 15 or more houses, that seems to clearly be the case.

In memory and honor of Pat Smith, a large group of Kentucky volunteers, as well as volunteers from all over the country, have been coming down to Gulfport since August to finish and complete the home project Pat started. This weekend was the dedication ceremony, and former President Jimmy Carter was slated to say a few words. Travis needed and extra hand to operate his second camera, and I was in the right place at the right time to do so. It was a great experience all around. Inspiring really. There really are a lot of caring people in the world, and to see the looks on the faces of the new homeowners really makes you think about how much difference individuals can have on others. Influence for the better. Be conscious of your vibe principals at work here, no doubt.

My favorite part were the newly planted trees in front of each of the houses. I think I’m seeing an angle for the Treevolution to take root…

(Notice Travis right up in there)

(Travis right up in there again)