Perseverance Of A Community

Close to two years ago, I had visited El Paso, Texas for the first time. As I was undertaking a road trip from Toronto, Canada to Tucson, Arizona, it was a time of reflection for a country that I was traveling. The wonderment of this trip were the countless number of exceptional people that I encountered over eight states, three time zones, and a geography that would leave you breathless.

There has always been a chord struck from within that had brought me to El Paso. It might have been the Marty Robbins classic from 1959 titled El Paso. Maybe, that El Paso was part of the old west. Or, its proximity to Mexico that gives it a Mexican charm. All of the above had led me to my initial visit to El Paso without disappointment.

I had stayed overnight in nearby Las Cruces, New Mexico. Being a road warrior, the drive to El Paso was well worth the time. My love for authentic Mexican food at a restaurant near the border just added to the adventure.

At the time, I-10 was essentially being rebuilt displaying the investment being poured into El Paso's infrastructure. I couldn't help, but think that many great events were on the horizon to make El Paso a better place to invest, work, and of course live.

Then, coming home on the afternoon of Saturday August 3rd, I heard the late breaking news of an unthinkable incident in El Paso. You can't imagine for a moment the sheer panic that must have erupted on a busy weekend shopping day. Having worked in retail during my time in college, it always leaves you thinking about what can ever happen when a robbery or some type of violence breaks out. Concluding that we all must all pay attention in our surroundings to keep and stay safe can be a challenge.

For those who left us on that August Saturday, many blessings to their families. To those survivors and citizens, you will make El Paso grow stronger to be a model community of courage. The gratitude to those emergency responders who put their lives on line in this time of trouble, thank you!

My memories of those in El Paso were welcoming with warmness and hospitality that also make them heroes representing their community. I'm hoping to have some time in the near future to return. El Paso will persevere.

Stevie Wonder many years ago wrote and recorded a great song titled, A Place In The Sun. If you haven't heard it in a while or never have heard of the this song, you should listen to it. It had much significant meaning in 1966, as it does in 2019. There is hope for everyone.

John Smyk is a humanitarian that is involved in Rotary International's Shoebox Project in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. The empowerment of humanity renders life's fulfillment of success. #johnsmyk #innerintensity #helpinghands